document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=838015>Question 838015</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The sum of three consecutive integers is -96. 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 #504820 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=josh_jordan><B>josh_jordan(263)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-09.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=josh_jordan><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=josh_jordan><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=504820\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> To solve, we need to set this up as an equation.  First, we know that we are looking for 3 consecutive integers. We will use the letter x to represent the unknown integers.  So, integer 1 will be x.  Integer 2 will be x + 1.  Integer 3 will be x + 2.  We also know that the sum of these integers is -96.  So, let's combine everything together:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x + x + 1 + x + 2 = -96\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Combine like terms on the left side of the equal sign:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3x + 3 = -96\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Subtract 3 from both sides, giving us:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3x = -99\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Divide both sides by 3 to obtain integer 1:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x = -33\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now, we can plug in -33 to our formula for integer 2:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-33 + 1 -----> -32\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now, plug in -33 to our formula for integer 3:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-33 + 2 -----> -31\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "We now have our 3 integers:  -33, -32, and -31.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "We are asked to find the smallest integer, which is -33 </SPAN>\n" );
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