Final answer:
To find three consecutive even numbers, let the first number be 'x'. The second consecutive even number would then be 'x+2', and the third consecutive even number would be 'x+4'. Solve the equation and you will find the consecutive even numbers.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find three consecutive even numbers, we can let the first number be 'x'. The second consecutive even number would then be 'x+2', and the third consecutive even number would be 'x+4'. We know that the sum of the squares of the first two numbers is equal to the square of the third number, so we can set up the following equation:
x^2 + (x+2)^2 = (x+4)^2
Expanding and simplifying the equation, we get:
x^2 + x^2 + 4x + 4 = x^2 + 8x + 16
Combining like terms and simplifying further, we get:
x^2 - 4x - 12 = 0
Factoring and solving for 'x', we find that 'x = 6' or 'x = -2'.
Therefore, the consecutive even numbers are 6, 8, and 10.