SOLUTION: I posted this problem and someone was able to proved the algebraic equation for it, but unfortunantly, I still do not understand how to solve it: "I am thinking of three consecu

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Numbers -> SOLUTION: I posted this problem and someone was able to proved the algebraic equation for it, but unfortunantly, I still do not understand how to solve it: "I am thinking of three consecu      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 175028: I posted this problem and someone was able to proved the algebraic equation for it, but unfortunantly, I still do not understand how to solve it:
"I am thinking of three consecutive numbers. If I multiply the first with the second and then subtract three times the third, the result is 57. What are the numbers?"
The equation given was x(x+1) - 3.(x+2)=57
Can someone please help me to actually solve this? Thanks

Found 3 solutions by scott8148, actuary, jojo14344:
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
distributing gives __ x^2+x-3x-6=57

subtracting 57 __ x^2-2x-63=0

factoring __ (x-9)(x+7)=0

so x equals 9 or -7

which makes the numbers 9, 10, 11 or -7, -6, -5

Answer by actuary(112) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let me give a try.
Let x be the first number, x+2 is the second number and x+3 is the third number.
x*(x+1)-3*(x+2)=57
Simplify the equation.
x^2+x-3*x-6=57
So x^2-2*x-63=0
WE have a quadratic equation so by the quadratic formula
x=-[-(-2)+/-Sqrt(-2^2-4*1*(-63)]/2*1
x=2+/-Sqrt[4+252]/2=2+/-Sqrt[256]/2
x=(2+/-16)/2
There for x =18/2=9
or x = -7
So the the three consectutive numbers are 9,10,11
or -7,-6,-5
I hope that this helps.

Answer by jojo14344(1513) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

x%28x%2B1%29-3%28x%2B2%29=57------------------------> working eqn
where the numbers----->system%28x=1st%2Cx%2B1=2nd%2Cx%2B2=3rd%29
Continuing:
x%5E2%2Bx-3x-6-57=0, distribute,expand, & put all terms to the left
x%5E2-2x-63=0
By QUadratic, where---->system%28a=1%2Cb=-2%2Cc=-63%29

x=%282%2B-sqrt%284%2B252%29%29%2F2=%282%2B-sqrt%28256%29%29%2F2=%282%2B-16%29%2F2
2 values:
x=%282%2B16%29%2F2=18%2F2=highlight%289%29----->10,& 11
x=%282-16%29%2F2=-14%2F2=highlight%28-7%29--->-6,& -5
Check by going back to the working eqn:
x=9
9%289%2B1%29-3%289%2B2%29=57
9%2810%29-3%2811%29=57
90-33=57
57=57, good
x=-7
-7%28-7%2B1%29-3%28-7%2B2%29=57
-7%28-6%29-3%28-5%29=57
42%2B15=57
57=57, good
Thank you,
Jojo