Question

Find three consecutive odd integers such that the sum of the largest and twice the smallest is 25.

If x represents the smallest integer, then which equation could be used to solve the problem?
2x + x + 2 = 25
2x + x + 4 = 25
2x + 2x + 4 = 25

Answer 1

"2x + x + 4 = 25"

Explanation:

If we have an integer x, then consecutive integers are x, x + 1, x + 2, ....

If they are odd/even, they are spaced "2" units apart, so that will be:

x, x + 2, x + 4, x + 6, ....

3 consecutive odd integers are (smallest to largest):

x, x + 2, x + 4

Now writing the equation:

x+4 + 2(x) = 25

x + 4 + 2x = 25

3x = 21

x = 7

So the integers are 7, 9, 11

The answer choice that is correct would be "2x + x + 4 = 25" -- 2nd option