<PRE><B>Question 175028</B>
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.</PRE>