Question

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

Answer 1

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