( x + 2 ) + ( x + 4 ) + .. + ( x + 1996 ) = 998000
<=> ( x + x + ... + x ) + ( 2 + 4 + ... + 1996 ) = 998000
<=> 998x + 997002 = 998000
<=> 998x = 998000 - 997002
<=> 998x = 998
<=> x = 998 : 998
<=> x = 1
(x+2)+(x+4)+.....+(x+1996)=99800
(x+x+...+x)+(2+4+....+1996)=99800
998x + 997002 =99800
998x =99800-997002
998x =-897202
x =-897202:998
x =899