Since it's the sum of 2 things, we know that you're going to add them to get -72. We also know that they'll both be negative. Consecutive means one after another -- in this case, that means an odd number plus the next odd number. How do we find an odd number from another odd number? You add 2 (example: 1 + 2 = 3, and 3 is the next odd number after 1). Since we can't be certain of the number, we'll have to use the variable x. So here's what we know:
x + (x+2) = -72.
| | |
First # Second odd # Total
Wait a second, doesn't that look like an equation? x+(x+2)=-72. Now we can just solve like a normal equation!
x+(x+2)=-72
2x+2=-72
-2 -2
2x=-74
x=-37.
Now, we need to find which one is the larger number, because that's what the problem asks us.
-37-39=-76. So we know that it's not -39.
-37-35=-72. This is correct, and which is the larger integer? -37. There's your answer!
I spent a lot of time making this answer the highest quality it can be. Please rate it Brainliest!
