SOLUTION: The sum of three consecutive odd integers is 171. Use your equation to determine the numbers

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Question 1137767: The sum of three consecutive odd integers is 171. Use your equation to determine the numbers
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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Let n be the middle number of the three consecutive odd integers.


Then the first number is (n-2), while the third integer is (n+2).


The sum of the three numbers is 171:


    (n-2) + n + (n+2) = 171,   or

    3n = 171,


which gives


    n = 171/3 = 57.


Thus the numbers are  55, 57 and 59.    ANSWER

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The lesson to learn from my solution is THIS :
     The sum of three consecutive odd integer numbers is three times the middle number.

Another form of this statement is THIS :
     If you are given the sum of three consecutive odd integer numbers, then the middle number is  1%2F3  (one third)  of the sum.

Therefore, by knowing this property, you can solve many other similar problems MOMENTARILY (and mentally, without using equations) (!)

As if you are a magician ( ! ! )