1. **State the problem:** We need to find the second number in a sequence of 4 consecutive odd numbers whose sum is 40. 2. **Define variables:** Let the first odd number be $x$. Since the numbers are consecutive odd numbers, the next three numbers are $x+2$, $x+4$, and $x+6$. 3. **Write the equation for the sum:** $$x + (x+2) + (x+4) + (x+6) = 40$$ 4. **Simplify the equation:** $$4x + 12 = 40$$ 5. **Solve for $x$:** $$4x = 40 - 12$$ $$4x = 28$$ $$x = \frac{28}{4} = 7$$ 6. **Find the second number:** The second number is $x + 2 = 7 + 2 = 9$. **Final answer:** The second number in the sequence is **9**.