Question

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

Answer 1

The three correct numbers are 7, 9, and 11.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Let's call the our odd numbers
`a`,
`b`, and
`c`, in ascending order. It can be said then that
`b = a +2` (It is the next odd number after
`a`) and
`c = a + 4` (It is the second consecutive number after
`a`).

Additionally, we can say:

`c + 2a = 25`

Now, how about we substiute in the value for
`c` we found in the first paragraph for
`c` in the preceeding equation? This gives us:

`(a + 4) + 2a = 25`

• Substitute

`3a + 4 = 25`

• Add like terms

`3a = 21`

• Subtract 4 from both sides

`a = 7`

• Divide both sides by 3

We have found that the smallest number is 7. Substituting this into the equations we found in the first paragraph, we find:

`b = 7 +2 = 9`

`c = 7 + 4 = 11`

The numbers are 7, 9, and 11.