Question

Three consecutive integers are n, n, +1 and n+2. 4 times the sum of the least and greatest integers is 12 less than three times the least integer. What is the least integer?

Answer 1

The smallest integer is -4.

Explanation:

4(n + n+2) = 3*n - 12 Combine the left

4(2n + 2) = 3n- 12 Remove the brackets

8n + 8 = 3n - 12 Subtract 3n from both sides

8n-3n + 8 = 3n-3n - 12 Combine

5n + 8 = - 12 Subtract 8 from both sides

5n = - 12 - 8

5n = - 20 Divide by 5

5n/5 = -20/5

n = - 4

n + 1 = -3

n + 2 = - 2