document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=573808>Question 573808</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> the sum of three consecutive integers is -15. what is the smallest integer </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #368868 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mathsmiles><B>mathsmiles(68)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-08.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mathsmiles><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=mathsmiles><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=368868\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let's let X be the first (smallest) of these integers.  Then the next consecutive integer is (X+1), the next is (X+2).  \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "We are told the sum of these 3 is -15 so <BR>\n" );
document.write( "(X) + (X+1) + (X+2) = -15  Start solving!:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "X + X + 1 + X + 2 = -15  combining like terms:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3X + 3 = -15   subtract 3 from each side<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3X = -18   divide by 3 on each side<BR>\n" );
document.write( "X = -6\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The 3 numbers are -6, -5, -4.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Checking:<BR>\n" );
document.write( " -6 + -5 + -4 = -15?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-15 = -15  Correct!<BR>\n" );
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