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Question 28997: The sum of three consecutive integers is negative fifty seven. Find the integers
Answer by sdmmadam@yahoo.com(530)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! The sum of three consecutive integers is negative fifty seven. Find the integers
Let the three consecutive integers be (a-1), a and (a+1)
The sum of the three consecutive integers is (-57)
Therefore (a-1)+ a + (a+1)= -57
(a+a+a)+(-1+1) = -57 (by additive commutativity and associativity)
3a+0=-57
3a= -57
a = (-57)/3 = -(3X19)/3 = -19
The three consecutive integers are (a-1), a and (a+1)
They are [(-19)-1],(-19) and [(-19)+1]
That is -20,-19,-18
Answer: The three consecutive integers are -20,-19,and -18
Note: Any two consecutive integers differ by 1
Note: What is the idea behind taking the three consecutive integers in the above fashion.
Answer: The data is taliking about the sum of the three consecutive integers.So if we take them in the above fashion, you directly arrive at a single,simple equation in the unknown a!
That is the trick. You may even do it orally!.Cool is n't it?
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