Question

The sum of two consecutive numbers is 41. What is the largest of the consecutive numbers? Set up an equation that represents the sum of the numbers. Use the variable, x, to represent the first of the consecutive numbers. In the form of a paragraph, explain in complete sentences the steps necessary to set up the equation. Include the final equation in your explanation. Complete your work in the space provided or upload a file that can display math symbols if your work requires it.

Answer 1

do you know what consecutive numbers means?

Answer 2

nope

Answer 3

u mean like 22

Answer 4

in that case you should use google
http://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/consecutive-numbers.html

Answer 5

ok

Answer 6

consecutive numbers example: 21,22,23....

Answer 7

it means 1 after the previous term..so it is an arithmetic progression

Answer 8

you should think: I'll call one of the numbers n
what is the next number after n ? any idea how to write it?

Answer 9

ive tried 11,12,13
12,13,14

Answer 10

it says the sum of TWO consecutive numbers
so one number is x
and the next is 1 more than x

Answer 11

no, we don't do guesses (takes too long)
also, we only need two numbers.

Answer 12

I'll call one of the numbers n
what is the next number after n ? any idea how to write it?

Answer 13

their sum is equal to 41

Answer 14

20,21

Answer 15

that is right but what equation did you use?

Answer 16

yes, but they want you to set up an equation

Answer 17

i just added those two

Answer 18

ok, but you should learn this idea:

if you have a "number" n you can still add 1 to it like this: n+1

do you think n and n+1 are "consecutive" ?

Answer 19

confused?

Answer 20

no they aren't consecutive

Answer 21

right?

Answer 22

here are examples of consecutive:
1,2

or

10,11

or

104, 105

notice the second number in the pair is *always 1 bigger* than the first number

Answer 23

ok so they are consecutive

Answer 24

If we give a "name" to some number (call it "n" ), we can talk about the next number right after it, as n+1 (we added 1 to the number)

Answer 25

sorry if i dont catch on quickly

Answer 26

yes, they are consecutive. It's an interesting idea that we can write down
n and n+1 and know that whatever n is , we know n and n+1 are consecutive

Answer 27

sum of two consecutive numbers is 41.

any idea how to write the "sum" of n and n+1 using "math" ?

Answer 28

20+21n

Answer 29

you mixed two things together (the 20 and 21 mixed in with the "n" idea)

just think: n is a number (though it looks like a letter!) and n+1 is another number
how do we show n added with n+1?

Answer 30

we use the *same idea* as how to show 1 added to 2: we write 1+2

Answer 31

20+21

Answer 32

yes.

but let's do it for n and n+1

Answer 33

0+1

Answer 34

I guess you don't think we are allowed to put a + sign with letters?

Answer 35

yep

Answer 36

How would you write the sum of 4 and 6 ?