how to do this math problem?

Question

Two professors in the mathematics building have offices that are consecutive odd numbers with a sum of 14,244. What are the office numbers of these two professors?

 

the office numbers are _____

Answer 1

if they are consecutive odd numbers, one number must be n, the other must be n+2

and we know that the two added together are 14,244

so n + n + 2 = 14,244

2n + 2 = 14,244

2n = 14,242

n = 7,121

so the first office number is 7,121 and the second is 7,123

Answer 2

If the first odd number is x

the 2nd odd number is x+2

 

x + x+2 = 14244      combine like terms

2x + 2 = 14244        subtract 2 from both sides

2x = 14242              divide both sides by 2

x = 7121

x + 2 = 7123

 

Your consecutive odd numbers are 7121 and 7123