Question

The sum of three consecutive integers is -54. Determine the smallest integer.

Answer 1

-19, -18 and -17

Explanation:

`n,\ n+1,\ n+2-\text{three consecutive integers}\\\\\text{The equation:}\\\\n+(n+1)+(n+2)=-54\qquad\text{combine like terms}\\\\(n+n+n)+(1+2)=-54\\\\3n+3=-54\qquad\text{subtract 3 from both sides}\\\\3n+3-3=-54-3\\\\3n=-57\qquad\text{dicidie both sides by 3}\\\\(3n)/(3)=(-57)/(3)\\\\n=-19\\\\n+1=-19+1=-18\\\\n+2=-19+2=-17`