Question

Three consecutive even integers have a sum of -126. What is the smallest integer ?

Answer 1

The smallest even integer is - 44 .

Explanation:

Given as :

The sum of the three even consecutive integer = - 126

Let The first even integer = x

The second even integer = x + 2

The third even integer = x + 4

Now, According to question'

x + ( x + 2 ) + ( x + 4 ) = - 126

Or, ( x + x + x ) + ( 2 + 4 ) = - 126

Or, 3 x + 6 = - 126

or, 3 x = - 126 - 6

or, 3 x = - 132

∴ x =
`(-132)/(3)`

I,e x = - 44

So, The even integers are

The first even integer = x = - 44

The second even integer = - 44 + 2 = - 42

The third even integer = - 44 + 4 = - 40

So, smallest integer among three digits is - 44

Hence The smallest even integer is - 44 . Answer