Let the two consecutive numbers be $x$ and $x + 1$, where the smaller one is 43. Therefore, we have:

$x = 43$

The next consecutive number is:

$x + 1 = 43 + 1 = 44$

Now, the sum of the two consecutive numbers is:

$43 + 44 = 87$

So, the sum of the two consecutive numbers is 87.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions to explore:

1. What is the sum of two consecutive numbers if the smaller one is 56?
2. How do you represent consecutive even or odd numbers algebraically?
3. Can you generalize the formula for finding the sum of two consecutive numbers?
4. What is the sum of three consecutive numbers starting from 43?
5. How would you solve for two consecutive numbers if their sum is given?

Tip: For any two consecutive integers, their sum is always an odd number because you're adding an even and an odd number.