Question

the ages of three friends are represented by 3 consecutive odd integers. the sum of their ages is 63. if the youngest of the three is represented by x , what equation could be used to find x?

Answer 1

Answer is the last choice
x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 63

Step by step

We know x is the youngest
We know our next number is 2 more than x because we are skipping the even number to go to the next odd number so
(x + 2)
We know the 3rd number is 2 more than the previous number because again, we are skipping the even number to go to the next odd number so
(x + 4)
And the 3 numbers added together = 63

x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 63
Is your answer

To solve we would have
3x + 6 = 63
Subtract 6 from both sides to combine constants

3x +6 -6 = 63 - 6
Combine
3x = 57

Divide both sides by 3 to solve for x

3/3 x = 57/3

x = 19
x + 2 = 21
x + 4 = 23

Added together = 63

Problem solved!