Consecutive even integers

Question

The sum of two consecutive even integers is -34. What is the smaller integer?

Answer 1

Let n be one even number and n + 2 the other. Then - 34 = n + (n + 2)

We get 2n = - 36 and n = - 18 and n + 2 = - 16. If we define "smallest" as absolute value then answer is 16

Answer 2

x + x+2 = -34

2x + 2 = -34

2x + 2 - 2 = -34 - 2

2x = -36

x = -18

the smaller is -18

the larger is -16

the total is -34

-18