SOLUTION: find three consecutive integers such that the sum of the first two is 18 less than the opposite of the greatest integer

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Question 311547: find three consecutive integers such that the sum of the first two is 18 less than the opposite of the greatest integer
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
find three consecutive integers
x, x+1, x+2
;
such that the sum of the first two is 18 less than the opposite of the greatest integer
The opposite of the greatest = -(x+2), therefore the equation for this statement:
x + (x+1) = -(x+2) - 18
Remove the brackets
x + x + 1 = -x - 2 - 18
:
2x + 1 = -x - 20
:
2x + x = -20 - 1
:
3x = -21
x = %28-21%29%2F3
x = -7
the three consecutive integers, -7, -6, -5
;
:
Check solution: opposite of greatest number = +5
" sum of the first two is 18 less than the opposite of the greatest"
-7 + -6 = +5 - 18
-13 = -13: confirms our solution on this rather confusing problem