Question

Find three consecutive integers for which 3 times the sum of the first and third integers is -342.

Answer 1

-58, -57, -56

Explanation:

x - the first of consecutive integers

x+1 - the second of consecutive integers

x+2 - the third of consecutive integers

x+x+2 - sum of the first and third integers

3(x+x+2) - three times the sum of the first and third integers

3(x+x+2) = -342

÷3 ÷3

2x + 2 = -114

-2 -2

2x = -116

÷2 ÷2

x = -58

x+1 = -58 + 1 = -57

x+2 = -58 + 2 = -56