Consecutive Integers - Definition and Examples

Consecutive integers are integers that differ by 1. For example, the integers 38 and 39 are consecutive integers because they differ by 1.

39 - 38 = 1.

Similarly, -5 and -4 are consecutive integers because they differ also by 1. 

-4 - -5 = -4 + 5 = 1.

More examples of consecutive integers

1. The integers 24, 25, and 26 are consecutive integers

25 - 24 = 1 and 26 - 25 = 1

2. The integers -20, -19, -18 are consecutive integers

-19 - -20 = -19 + 20 = 1

-18 - -19 = -18 + 19 = 1

This helps us to generalize the concept of consecutive integers.

Let n be an integer. Then, the first three consecutive integers are n, n + 1, and n + 2

Consecutive integers word problem

The sum of four consecutive integers is 142. What are the integers?

Let n be the first integer

Then n + 1 is the second integer

n + 2 is the third integer

and n + 3 is the fourth integer

n + n + 1 + n + 2 + n + 3 = 142

4n + 6 = 142

4n = 142 - 6

4n = 136

n = 34

n + 1 = 35

n + 2 = 36

n + 3 = 37

The integers are 34, 35, 36, and 37