Question 543101: The sum of two consecutive integers is 86. Find them using a variable. Found 2 solutions by stanbon, solver91311:Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! The sum of two consecutive integers is 86. Find them using a variable.
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1st: x
2nd: x+1
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Equation:
su = 86
2x+1 = 86
2x = 85
x = 42.5
Comment:
That is not an integer.
There are no consecutive integers whose sum = 86.
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Cheers,
Stan H.
You state that "the sum of two consecutive integers is 86." That is an untrue statement. It is impossible. If you have two consecutive integers, then one of them is even and the other is odd. But the sum of an odd number and an even number is an odd number whereas 86 is an even number.
The th even integer is for all integers and the th odd number is for all integers . Their sum is:
But
which is not an integer, hence the sum is odd by definition.
John
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it