Question

Find two consecutive odd integers whose sum is -88

Answer 1

The answer: -45, -43.
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Step-by-step explanation:
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Let "x" = one of the odd integers.

Let "x + 2" = the other odd integer.
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x + (x + 2) = - 88 ;

x + x + 2 = - 88;

2x + 2 = - 88 ; Now, subtract "2" from EACH side of the equation:
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2x + 2 - 2 = - 88 - 2 ; to get:
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2x = -90 ; Now, divide EACH side of the equation by "2"; to isolate "x" on one side of the question; and solve for "x";
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2x/2 = -90/2 ;
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x = -45
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So one of the integers is -45. It is an odd number? Yes!

The next consecutive integer is: "(x+2)" ; or, (-45 + 2) = -43. Its it an odd number? Yes!

Are "-45", and "-43" consecutive odd integers? Yes!
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The two consecutive integers are: -45 and -43.
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To check our work:
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Do the sum of our two consecutive integers equal -88?
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-45 + (-43) =? -88 ? Yes!
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Answer 2

Instead of guessing (guess and check) or me giving you the answer, lets solve this mathematically.

first number is x. Second number is the next (or consecutive) odd number so its x+2 (can also do x-2)

Using (x+2)
x + (x+2) = -88
2x = -90
x = -45
and the other number will be -43

Using (x=2)
x + (x-2) = -88
2x = -86
x = -43
and the other number will be -45