Let N be the first integer, then N+1 is the second integer and N+2 is the third integer. To find their sum you write them down with + signs between them, like this: N + N+1 + N+2 You are told this sum is 252. so you write = 252 after that and you have: N + N+1 + N+2 = 252 Now you combine like terms on the left side: 3N + 3 = 252 Now you subtract 3 from both sides 3N = 249 Now you divide both sides by 3 and get N = 83 That's the first integer. Now to find the second integer you add one to it Second integer = 84 To find the third, which is the largest integer you add one to that and get Third integer = 85 The consecutive integers are 83,84,85 As a check, add them up and. sure enough, you do get 252 The problem asks for the largest one so the answer is 85 Edwin