Oh man head ach! Algebra!!!!

[kc261]

This is fun!

I think Christie (tigerlily) is probably correct in that if the teacher is not accepting the intuitive answer "divide 76 in half, that gives you 38. So, add 37 and 39 to get 76", then s/he probably won't accept the "x=38" answer either. But for the same reason, I don't think this teacher will accept Christie's most recent answer. I think she is looking to have 2 variables defined that will result in the 2 answers.

In other words, an X and a Y. One thing you learn early in algebra is that to solve for 2 variables, you need 2 equations.

So I think I'd go with x+y=76 with the addition of a second equation: x+2=y

Solve the first equation for x (since the second one is already solved for y).
x+y=76
x=76-y

Substitute this into the second equation:
x+2=y
(76-y)+2=y
78-y=y
78=2y
39=y OR
y=39

Substitute this back into the partially solved first equation:
x=76-y
x=76-(39)
x=37

Then you have x=37 and y=39.

The only issue with this is the problem states "two consecutive odd integers". There is nothing in my solution that makes the answers have to be odd. If the problem stated "two consecutive integers with the same parity" that would probably be a little more technically correct, but since a very large number of people don't know the mathematical meaning of the word "parity" (I had to look it up to be sure myself), I'm not surprised the question was worded the way it was.

[Schlyne]

I really think that this problem is wanting you to use two equations, so I would go with what kc261 outlined.

[amcceney]

How do I answer this questions, I have been trying to figure this out forever, errrrrr, here it is,
Find the two consecutive odd integers who's sum is 76.
please help. lol

easy with one equation:

x+(x+2)=76

since it's asking for two consecutive odd integers, one will be two integers larger than the other.

obviously once you solve for x, the second integer will be 2 greater than the first