The sum of four consecutive, odd whole numbers is 48. What is the value of the smallest number?

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Accepted Answer

Create an equation that describes the situation. If x represents the first odd whole number, x + 2 represents the second, x + 4 represents the third, and x + 6 represents the fourth. The sum of the numbers is x + x + 2 + x + 4 + x + 6 = 4x + 12. Set this expression equal to the sum of the numbers, 48, and solve for x: 4x + 12 = 48, 4x = 36, x = 9. Since x is the first number, it is the smallest of the four consecutive, odd whole numbers.

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