consecutive numbers are always 1 away from each other 3,4
so consecutive is represented by x and x+1 so sum is -171 x+x+1=-171 add like terms 2x+1=-171 subtract 1 from both sides 2x=-172 divide both sides by 2 x=-86 subustitute x+1=otehr number x+1=-86+1=-85 answer is -85 and -86
