Let's the name the first number x and the consecutive number x + 1. The sum of both of these numbers equals to 53.
We now have our equation:
x + x + 1 = 53
Now solve for x.
x + x + 1 = 53
2x + 1 = 53 <-- Combine like terms
2x = 52 <-- Subtract 1 from each side
x = 26
So, the first number is 26 and the second number is 27.
