Answer :
We start with the equation that represents the sum of two consecutive numbers:
[tex]$$2n + 1 = 157.$$[/tex]
Step 1. Subtract 1 from both sides of the equation:
[tex]$$2n + 1 - 1 = 157 - 1,$$[/tex]
which simplifies to
[tex]$$2n = 156.$$[/tex]
Step 2. Now, divide both sides by 2 to solve for [tex]$n$[/tex]:
[tex]$$n = \frac{156}{2} = 78.$$[/tex]
Thus, the first of the two consecutive numbers is [tex]$\boxed{78}$[/tex], which corresponds to option B.
[tex]$$2n + 1 = 157.$$[/tex]
Step 1. Subtract 1 from both sides of the equation:
[tex]$$2n + 1 - 1 = 157 - 1,$$[/tex]
which simplifies to
[tex]$$2n = 156.$$[/tex]
Step 2. Now, divide both sides by 2 to solve for [tex]$n$[/tex]:
[tex]$$n = \frac{156}{2} = 78.$$[/tex]
Thus, the first of the two consecutive numbers is [tex]$\boxed{78}$[/tex], which corresponds to option B.
