$$ x $$ is the largest of 5 consecutive numbers, what is ther sum?

Question

UpStudy AI · Accepted Answer

Let's denote the five consecutive numbers as $$ x-4, x-3, x-2, x-1, x $$. Here, $$ x $$ is the largest number.

To find the sum of these five consecutive numbers, we can express it as follows:

$$
\text{Sum} = (x-4) + (x-3) + (x-2) + (x-1) + x
$$

Now, let's simplify this expression step by step:

1. Combine like terms:
   $$
   \text{Sum} = x - 4 + x - 3 + x - 2 + x - 1 + x
   $$
   $$
   = 5x - (4 + 3 + 2 + 1)
   $$

2. Calculate the sum of the constants:
   $$
   4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10
   $$

3. Substitute back into the equation:
   $$
   \text{Sum} = 5x - 10
   $$

Thus, the sum of the five consecutive numbers, where $$ x $$ is the largest, is:

$$
\text{Sum} = 5x - 10
$$
The sum of the five consecutive numbers is $$ 5x - 10 $$.

\( x \) is the largest of 5 consecutive numbers, what is ther sum?