Answer:
In terms of x, the smaller integer is (x - 1)/2
Step-by-step explanation:
Two consecutive positive integers can be written as:
n and (n + 1)
Where n is an integer and:
n > 0.
notice that the smaller of the two integers is n.
We know that the sum of these two integers is equal to x, then:
n + (n + 1) = x
we can rewrite this as:
2n + 1 = x
solving this for n (the smaller of the two integers) we get:
2n = x - 1
n = (x - 1)/2
In terms of x, the smaller integer is (x - 1)/2
