Question 281617
To find three odd consecutive integers, we can plot them as follows:


x = first integer
x+2 = odd consecutive integer
x+4 = next odd consecutive integer


Now, let's substitute these values according to the problem and solve for "x" to find the first integer.


If three times the smallest is 15 less than the sum of the other two...
* Three times the smallest would equal to 3x.
* The word "is" means =.
* The sum of the other two would be (x+2) plus (x+4).
Therefore:


{{{3x=(x+2)+(x+4)-15}}}


Now solve for x:


{{{3x=2x+2+4-15}}}
{{{3x=2x-9}}}
{{{3x-2x=-9}}}
{{{x=-9}}}


I'll let you find the other two odd consecutive integers.
You can check its validity by substituting the x for -9 in the original equation.  Both sides of the equation must equal to each other to be true.


{{{3x=(x+2)+(x+4)-15}}}
{{{3(-9)=(-9+2)+(-9+4)-15}}}
{{{-27=-27}}} ... it checks!