Question 101999This question is from textbook Beginning Algebra
: If the sum of three consecutive even integers is 60, what is the first of the three even integers?
This question is from textbook Beginning Algebra
Answer by bucky(2189)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! If the first of the three consecutive even integers is x, then the next even number above
that is x + 2, and the next even number above that is x + 2 + 2 or x + 4.
.
When you add these three integers together, the sum is to equal 60. So add them in equation form
and you get:
.
x + x + 2 + x + 4 = 60
.
On the left side combine the three x terms and then combine the 2 and the 4 and you get
.
3x + 6 = 60
.
Get rid of the 6 on the left side by subtracting 6 from both sides. This results in:
.
3x = 54
.
Solve for x by dividing both sides of this equation by 3 (which is the multiplier
of x). When you divide both sides by 3 the result is:
.
x = 54/3 = 18
.
So the first of the three consecutive integers is 18. The next even integer is 18 + 2 which
is 20. And the next consecutive even integer is 18 + 4 = 22.
.
So our answer is that the 3 consecutive integers are 18, 20, and 22.
.
Add them up and you get 60. And since all 3 of these integers are consecutive even numbers,
our answer of 18, 20, and 22 is correct.
.
Hope this helps you to understand the problem and how to solve it.
.
|
|
|
