SOLUTION: The sum of 3 consecutive odd numbers is 39

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Question 140966: The sum of 3 consecutive odd numbers is 39
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Consecutive odd numbers follow the pattern
2x%2B1, 2x%2B3, 2x%2B5, etc


So when the sum of 3 consecutive odd numbers is 39, then we have the equation


%282x%2B1%29%2B%282x%2B3%29%2B%282x%2B5%29=39



2x%2B1%2B2x%2B3%2B2x%2B5=39 Remove the parenthesis


6x%2B9=39 Combine like terms on the left side


6x=39-9Subtract 9 from both sides


6x=30 Combine like terms on the right side


x=%2830%29%2F%286%29 Divide both sides by 6 to isolate x



x=5 Divide



2x%2B1 Go back to the first term


2%2A5%2B1 Plug in x=5


11 Simplify. So the first number is 11


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2x%2B3 Go back to the second term


2%2A5%2B3 Plug in x=5


13 Simplify. So the second number is 13


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2x%2B5 Go back to the third term


2%2A5%2B5 Plug in x=5


15 Simplify. So the third number is 15




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Answer:


So the 3 consecutive odd numbers are

11, 13, and 15



Check:

Simply add the three numbers and see if it adds to 39

11+13+15=39

39=39

So our answer is verified.