Question

Find three consecutive odd integers such that the sum of the largest and twice the smallest is 25. If x represents the smallest integer, then which equation could be used to solve the problem?

Answer 1

The three consecutive odd integers : 7, 9, 11

Further explanation

Algebraic expressions in mathematics are a combination of coefficients, numbers, variables, constants and arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

The main composition of algebraic expressions are:

• 1. phrases

algebraic forms separated by arithmetic operations

consists of one phrase (monomial) to many phrases (polynomial)

• 2. variable

is a value that can be changed, can be in the form of letters, for example, x, y, a, b, etc.

• 3. constants

is a fixed value, can be a number

• 4. arithmetic operations

+ , - , : , x

integer number: numbers consist of positive, negative and 0 numbers

Odd number: Any integer that cannot be divided by 2.

The last digit is 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9

Because it is divided by 2, the difference between the two numbers is also 2 for consecutive numbers

Then consecutive odd numbers can be symbolized:

x, x + 2, x + 4, x + 6, x + 8, etc.

For example, 3 consecutive odd numbers are:

x + 4, x + 6, x + 8

the sum of the largest and twice the smallest is 25, can be expressed in terms of arithmetic operations:

(x + 8) + 2 (x + 4) = 25

So the solution:

x + 8 + 2x + 8 = 25

3x + 16 = 25

3x = 9

x = 3

So the smallest number is:

= x + 4

= 3 + 4

= 7

or

Find three consecutive odd integers such that the sum of the largest and twice the smallest is 25. If x represents the smallest integer, then which equation could be used to solve the problem? 2x + x + 2 = 25 2x + x + 4 = 25 2x + 2x + 4 = 25.

Answer 2

The three integers are 7, 9, 11.

The equation is: 2x + x + 4 = 25

Explanation:

The problem asks to use x to represent the smallest of the three integers.

Odd integers are 2 units apart, such as 1, 3, 5, 7. The difference between consecutive odd integers is 2.

Since the smallest odd integer is x, then the next larger one is x + 2. The largest odd integer is x + 2 + 2, or x + 4.

The three odd integers are

x, x + 2, x + 4

The problem then states "the sum of the largest and twice the smallest is 25."

The largest one is x + 4.

Twice the smallest is 2x.

Their sum is 2x + x + 4.

That sum equals 25.

2x + x + 4 = 25

3x + 4 = 25

3x = 21

x = 7

The smallest integer is 7.

Then x + 2 = 7 + 2 = 9,

and x + 4 = 7 + 4 = 11.

Answer: The three integers are 7, 9, 11.

The equation is: 2x + x + 4 = 25