document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=828023>Question 828023</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Find three consecutive integers such that the sum of the second and the third is half the first decreased by 15. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #498973 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=alittletooconfused><B>alittletooconfused(7)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-05.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=alittletooconfused><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=498973\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> let x = first #; x+1 = second #; x+2 = third #\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Consecutive numbers always convert into x, x+1, x+2 and so on depending on how many you need.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "sum of the second and the third is half the first decreased by 15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+1 + x+2 = 1/2x - 15\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Combine like terms<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+x + 1+2 = 1/2x - 15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x + 3 = 1/2x - 15\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Subtract 3 from both sides so that only 2x would remain<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x + 3 - 3 = 1/2x - 15 - 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x = 1/2x - 18\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply both sides by 2 to simply the fraction on the right side.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2(2x) = 2(1/2x - 18)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4x = x - 36\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Subtract x from both sides so that only -36 would remain<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4x - x = x - 36 - x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x = -36\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Divide both sides by 3 so that only x would remain on the left side<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x/3 = -36/3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = -12\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Substitute:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = -12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+1 = -12 + 1 = -11<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+2 = -12 + 2 = -10\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Check:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+1 + x+2 = 1/2x - 15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-11 + -10 = 1/2(-12) - 15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-21 = -6 - 15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-21 = -21\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Conclusion: Thus, the three consecutive integers are -12,-11,-10 </SPAN>\n" );
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