Question 10068
Ok, Abby, here's what you do...


First, divide 217 by 2 to see what number to start with.


{{{217\2 = 108.5}}}


Ok, so start with 108. You need two CONSECUTIVE and EVEN numbers, so... 


108 + 110 = 218 <---------- nope


Let's go a little lower.


106 + 108 = 214 <----------- nope


Ok, so none of those even integers work. Now, look at the problem: the last two digits of 217 is....take a wild guess....17. Now try that instead of a harder number like 217. You cannot get 17 as an answer by adding any consecutive even numbers...so, the same thing holds true with 117, 217, 317, and on and on and on. 


BUT!!! There's hope!!! True, you can't get the answer "17" from any WHOLE or NATURAL numbers, but since the question asked for INTEGERS, you can do this...



{{{108.5 + 108.5 = 217}}}


or this...


{{{108.4 + 108.6 = 217}}}


if you want the answer to be EVEN even...if you get what I mean. Those decimals are also consecutive, if you haven't caught that yet.