Question

Find three consecutive even integers such that the product of the largest and second-largest integers is 288.

Three positive consecutive even integers that meet the given condition __, and three negative consecutive even integers that meet the given condition are __. (use a comma to separate answers as needed. )

Answer 1

x(x + 2) = 288

x² + 2x = 288

x² + 2x + 1 = 289

(x + 1)² = 289

x + 1 = ±17

x = 1 ± 17 = -18, 16

Three positive consecutive even integers that meet the given condition:

16, 18, 20

Three consecutive negative even integers that meet the given condition:

-18, -16, -14