Question

The sum of four consecutive odd integers is –72. Write an equation to model this situation, and find the values of the four integers.

Answer 1

Let say 'n' be one of the odd integers, then the next consecutive one will be 2 more, then the third 2 more again...

the four consecutive odd numbers are then -
n
n+2
n+4
n+6

Answer 2

It says the sum of those 4 numbers will equal -72. That gives you..

n + n+2 + n+4 + n+6 = -72

4n + 12 = -72
4n=-84
n=-21

that is the odd integer n = -21, the others are 2,4,and6 added to that

n = -21
n+2 = -19
n+4 = -17
n+6 = -15

notice those 4 consecutive odd integers add up to -72