document.write( "Question 72127: find 4 rational numbers such that the product of the 1st 2nd and 3rd is 54. The 2nd number is 2 less than the 1st number, the 3rd number is 5 less than the 2nd number and the 4th number is 3 less than the 3rd number \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #51595 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Write an equation for each statement
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "find 4 rational numbers such that the product of the 1st 2nd and 3rd is 54.
\n" ); document.write( "a*b*c = 54
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( " The 2nd number is 2 less than the 1st number,
\n" ); document.write( " b = (a - 2)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "the 3rd number is 5 less than the 2nd number
\n" ); document.write( " c = (b - 5)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( " and the 4th number is 3 less than the 3rd number
\n" ); document.write( "d = (c - 3)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Ignore d for the moment, and concentrate on finding a, b, & c
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Get a & c in terms of b:
\n" ); document.write( "a - 2 = b
\n" ); document.write( "a = (b + 2)
\n" ); document.write( "c = (b - 5)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute in the 1st equation and find b:
\n" ); document.write( "a*b*c = 54
\n" ); document.write( "(b+2)* b * (b-5) = 54
\n" ); document.write( "b(b^2 - 3b -10) = 54
\n" ); document.write( "b^3 - 3b^2 - 10b = 54
\n" ); document.write( "b^3 - 3b^2 - 10b - 54 = 0\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "ARe you sure that there are integer solutions to this problem?? \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );