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.


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.