SOLUTION: Find 3 consecutive odd numbers where the product of the two smaller numbers is 22 less than the square of the largest number

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Question 14155: Find 3 consecutive odd numbers where the product of the two smaller numbers is 22 less than the square of the largest number
Answer by Earlsdon(6103) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the smallest odd number be x, then the next consecutive odd number is (x+2) and the third consecutive odd number would be (x+4).
Now you can set up your equation from the problem description:
x%28x%2B2%29+=+%28x%2B4%29%5E2+-+22 Simplify and solve for x.
x%5E2+%2B+2x+=+x%5E2+%2B+8x+%2B+16+-+22 Subtract x%5E2 from both sides.
2x+=+8x+-+6 Add 6 to both sides.
2x+%2B+6+=+8x Subtract 2x from both sides.
6+=+6x Finally, divide both sides by 6.
1+=+x or x+=+1
The smallest number is 1, the next is 3,the last is 5.