Question

The sum of three consecutive odd integers is –15. What are the numbers?

A.{–3, –1, 1}


B.{–3, –5, –7}


C.{–7, –9, –11}


D.{–4, –5, –6}

Answer 1

odd numbers are represented as 2n+1 where 2 is a natural number ( negative and possitive whole numbers)

consecutive odd numbers are 2 away from each other so 3 consecutive odd numbers would be
(2n+1),(2n+1+2),(2n+1+2+2)
the all add to -15 so they must all be negative
2n+1+2n+1+2+2n+1+2+2=-15
add like terms
6n+9=-15
subtract 9 from both sides
6n=-24
divide both sides by 6
n=-4
subsitute
first number=2n+1=2(-4)+1=-8+1=-7
second number=2n+1+2=2(-4)+3=-8+3=-5
third number=2n+1+2+2=-8+5=-3

the numbers are -7,-5, -3
the answe ris B