When calculating consecutive integers, the smaller number is x and the larger number is (x + 1). So the equation you can use is x + (x + 1) = 5 + 3(x + 1) This is because the sum of the consecutive integers are equal to 5 more than 3 times the larger integer. Now simplify: x + (x + 1) = 5 + 3(x + 1) 2x + 1 = 5 + 3(x + 1) 2x + 1 = 5 + 3x + 3 2x + 1 = 3x + 8 Now isolate the variable: 2x + 1 = 3x + 8 Subtract 2x from both sides: 1 = x + 8 Subtract 8 from both side: -7 = x x = -7 So the smaller number is -7 and the larger number is -6.
