The sum of two consecutive negative integers is - 171. What is the number closest to zero?

Consecutive numbers are always 1 away from each other

3,4

so consecutive is represented by

x and x+1

so sum is - 171

x+x+1=-171

add like terms

2x+1=-171

subtract 1 from both sides

2x=-172

divide both sides by 2

x=-86

subustitute

x+1=otehr number

x+1=-86+1=-85

answer is - 85 and - 86