Question

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

Answer 1

-40, - 42 and -44

Explanation:

The fastes way here is trying. Lets pick a number, intelligently, and then work on it.

We need three even integers that sum -126. These will be all negative numbers and as they are consecutive they will be very similar (for example, -33 and -35 and -37). Thus, lets start by 1/3 of -126, which is -42:

(-42)+ (-44) + (-46) = - 132, so -42 no.

Lets go a step back: -40

(-40) + (-42) + (-44) = -126

So, the integers are -40, -42 and -44