SOLUTION: The product of two consecutive positive odd integers is one less than three times their sum. Find the integers. I tried numerous ways to write this and I am just not sure how to

Algebra ->  Problems-with-consecutive-odd-even-integers -> SOLUTION: The product of two consecutive positive odd integers is one less than three times their sum. Find the integers. I tried numerous ways to write this and I am just not sure how to      Log On


   

Question 248998: The product of two consecutive positive odd integers is one less than three times their sum. Find the integers.
I tried numerous ways to write this and I am just not sure how to. I have x as on integer and x+2 as the other. I tried writing it like 3x(x + 2)- 1 = 0 or x(x + 2) = 3x(x + 2)- 1 but these don't seem to work out. Help me please.
Answer by dabanfield(803) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The product of two consecutive positive odd integers is one less than three times their sum. Find the integers.
I tried numerous ways to write this and I am just not sure how to. I have x as on integer and x+2 as the other. I tried writing it like 3x(x + 2)- 1 = 0 or x(x + 2) = 3x(x + 2)- 1 but these don't seem to work out. Help me please.

You're on the right track :)
If x and x+2 are the two integers then
x*(x+2) = 3(x+x+2) - 1 or
x^2 +2*x = 3*(2x+2) - 1
x^2 + 2*x = 6*x + 6 -1
x^2 + 2*x = 6*x + 5
x^2 - 4*x - 5 = 0 =
(x-5)*(x+1) = 0
Now you can solve for positive x.