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26 votes
find three consecutive integers for which 3 times the sum of the first and third integers is -342? show step by step

User Tushar Shahi
by
2.4k points

1 Answer

11 votes
11 votes

Answer: The integers are -58, -57, -56.

Explanation:

The difference between two consecutive integers is 1.

If you let the smallest of the three consecutive integers equal x, then the next greater one is x + 1, and the greatest of the three is x + 2.

Integers: x, x + 1, x + 2

The sum of the first and third is: x + x + 2

3 times the sum of the first and third is: 3(x + x + 2)

That product equals -342.

3(x + x + 2) = -342

3(2x + 2) = -342

Divide both sides by 3.

2x + 2 = -114

Subtract 2 from both sides.

2x = -116

Divide both sides by 2.

x = -58

x + 1 = -57

x + 2 = -56

The integers are -58, -57, -56.

User Axay Prajapati
by
3.0k points
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