Download Consecutive Odd Numbers

Title:
Consecutive numbers
Problem:
The sum of five consecutive odd numbers is
3055. Find the least of these numbers.
Plan to investigate and solve:
I will solve an equation to find the least of five
consecutive odd numbers whose sum is 3055.
I will choose the variable x to represent the least
number of the five numbers. My equation will be
x + (x+2) + (x+4) + (x+6) + (x+8) = 3055. If x is a
odd number , the next consecutive odd number
must be two more than x. The third consecutive
odd number must be four more than x. It will
continue with that pattern.
Steps for solving this equation:
1.) x +x+2 +x+4 + x+6 + x+8 = 3055
2.) 5x=3055-20 (group like terms)
3.) 5x=3035 (simplify)
4.) 5x\5=3035/5 (divide both sides by 5)
5.) x= 607 ( simplify)
607+ 609 + 611 + 613 + 615 = 3055.
The least consecutive odd number is 607.