Question

The sum of three consecutive even integers is 36. Let x represent the least consecutive integer. What equation could be used to find the least consecutive integer?

Answer 1

Hello,

Say to your professor theat this is a false problem of algebra but a problem of arithmetic..

I suppose the numbers to be 0,2,4 their sum is 6 and not 36.
It remaind 36-6=30 to distribute to 3==>30/3=10
So numbers are
0+10=10
2+10=12
4+10=14
And the least integer is 10.

Answer 2

The three consecutive even integers are: x, (x+2) and (x+4).
We can suggest this equation:
x+(x+2)+(x+4)=36
3x+6=36
3x=36-6
3x=30
x=30/3
x=10

Answer: the equation would be: x+(x+2)+(x+4)=36, and the least consecutive integer is 10.

We can check it out:
The numbers would be: 10,12 and 14
10+12+14=36