In a Mathematics examination, the number scored by 5 candidates is 5 successive odd integers. If their total marks are 185, the highest score is:

Question: In a Mathematics examination, the number scored by 5 candidates is 5 successive odd integers. If their total marks are 185, the highest score is:

Solution:
Let the five successive odd numbers be,
x, x + 2, x + 4, x + 6, x + 8

Then, according to given information,
x + x + 2 + x + 4 + x + 6 + x + 8 = 185
⇒ 5x + 20 = 185
⇒ 5x = 165
⇒ x = 33

∴ Highest number = 33 + 8 = 41