Question 175036
Let x=the first odd number
Then x+2=the second or bigger odd number

3(x+2)=three times the bigger odd number
Now we are told the following:
3(x+2)-x=56 get rid of parens (distributive)
3x+6-x=56 subtract 6 from each side
3x+6-6-x=56-6 collect like terms
2x=50  divide each side by 2
x=25--------------------------first odd number
x+2=25+2=27-----------------------second odd number

CK
3*27-25=56
81-25=56
56=56

Does this help?---ptaylor