Two consecutive odd integers have a sum that is, at most, 36. What is the greatest value the larger number could have?

Answer 1

if x is the larger, x-2 is the smaller, since odd number differ by 2
So,
x-2 + x <= 36
solve for x

Answer 2

x + ( x+2) <= 36
X <= 17.
x+2 <= 19.
Therefore, x+2 = 19, max.