Question

ages of 4 sisters, which are consecutive integers with the sum of 26.
x+(x+1)+(x+2)+(x+3)=26

Explanation:

Step1: Combine like terms

The equation is \( x+(x + 1)+(x + 2)+(x + 3)=26 \). Combining the \( x \)-terms: \( x+x+x+x=4x \), and the constant terms: \( 1 + 2+3 = 6 \). So the equation becomes \( 4x+6 = 26 \).

Step2: Solve for \( x \)

Subtract 6 from both sides: \( 4x+6 - 6=26 - 6 \), which simplifies to \( 4x = 20 \). Then divide both sides by 4: \( \frac{4x}{4}=\frac{20}{4} \), so \( x = 5 \).

Step3: Find the ages

The ages are \( x = 5 \), \( x + 1=6 \), \( x + 2 = 7 \), \( x + 3=8 \). We can check the sum: \( 5+6+7+8 = 26 \), which matches.

Answer:

The ages of the four sisters are 5, 6, 7, and 8. (Or if only solving for \( x \), \( x = 5 \))