The document is a solution to a math problem. It states that the sum of 9 consecutive whole numbers is 123,456,789,987,654,321. It assigns a variable x to represent the smallest number, then defines the other 8 numbers as x+1 through x+8. It concludes that the largest number is x+8 and the smallest is x, so the difference between them is 8.

1. Problem of the Week #2
Solution
By: Alaina Johansson
For the week of 2/13/12 to 2/17/12

2. The sum of 9 consecutive whole numbers is
123,456,789,987,654,321. What is the difference
between the largest and the smallest of these
numbers?
First assign each of the 9 numbers a value.
-Let the first number in the sequence be x.
-The next consecutive number will be x+1, the third will be x+2, the
forth x+3, fifth x+4 and so on until the ninth number which is x+8.
The smallest of the consecutive whole numbers
is x and the largest is x+8.
To find the difference subtract (x+8)-x.
x+8-x (combine like terms)
The difference between the largest and smallest number is 8.