SOLUTION: Find the consecutive even numbers such that the sum of 3/5 of the first, 1/2 of the second and 3/8 of the third is 32.
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-> SOLUTION: Find the consecutive even numbers such that the sum of 3/5 of the first, 1/2 of the second and 3/8 of the third is 32.
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Question 1148560: Find the consecutive even numbers such that the sum of 3/5 of the first, 1/2 of the second and 3/8 of the third is 32. Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, greenestamps:Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Let the numbers be , ,
Multiply both sides by
The numbers are 20, 22, and 24
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Presumably this problem is intended as an exercise in using algebra to solve problems. However, note that a little logical reasoning can get to the answer much faster, and with much less effort.
(1) Each of the fractions is close to 1/2; so the sum of the three numbers is about 2*32=64. So the three numbers are in the low 20s.
(2) 3/5 of the first number is a whole number, so the first number must be a multiple of 5. And since it is even, it must be a multiple of 10.
(3) A number in the low 20s that is a multiple of 10 has to be 20. So the three numbers are PROBABLY 20, 22, and 24.