The sum of four consecutive numbers is - 26. what are the numbers?

Answer: - 8, - 7, - 6, - 5

Remember: consecutive numbers are numbers that are back to back. For example, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are consecutive numbers while 1, 3, 5, and 6 are not.

Form your equation. Let x be your first number, x + 1 your second number, x + 2 your third, and x + 3 is your fourth. To further understand this, temporarily substitute 1 for x, and you will find that they are consecutive.

(x) + (x + 1) + (x + 2) + (x + 3) = - 26

Solve for x.

(x) + (x + 1) + (x + 2) + (x + 3) = - 26 Distributive Property

x + x + 1 + x + 2 + x + 3 = - 26 Combine like terms

4x + 1 + 2 + 3 = - 26 Combine like terms

4x + 6 = - 26 Subtract 6 from both sides

4x = - 32 Divide by 4 to both sides

x = - 8 Isolated x

Substitute (-8) for x to find the numbers.

1st #: x = - 8

2nd #: x + 1 = (-8) + 1 = - 7

3rd #: x + 2 = (-8) + 2 = - 6

4th #: x + 3 = (-8) + 3 = - 5

The numbers are - 8, - 7, - 6, and - 5.

You can also check your work.

(-8) + (-7) + (-6) + (-5) = - 26

-26 = - 26