The sum of two consecutive odd integers is - 72. What is the larger integer?

Let the first odd integer be x. Since they are consecutive, the next odd integer, which is also the larger integer must be (x+2).

The sum of these two is said to be a total of - 72.

Therefore,

x + (x+2) = - 72

2x = - 72 - 2

2x = - 74

x = - 37

The two consecutive odd integers are - 37 and - 35, with - 35 being the larger integer.

Two consecutive odd integers should be: - 35 and - 37.

-35 + (-37) = - 72

The larger integer is - 35