Question 353429
The sum of the squares of three consecutive positive integers is 77. Find the integers. 
The book gives a hint: if one integer is x, the next consecutive positive integer is x+1, and the third is x+2
----
The "book" is correct, but you could just as well use, x-1,x,x+1
-----
Equation:
(x-1)^2 + x^2 + (x+1)^2 = 77
x^2 -2x + 1 + x^2 + x^2+2x+1 = 77
---
3x^2 +2 = 77
3x^2 = 75
x^2 = 25
x = 5
-----
1st: x-1 = 4
2nd: x = 5
3rd: x+1 = 6
------
Checking:
4^2 + 5^2 + 6^2 
= 16 + 25 + 36
= 77
=============
Cheers,
Stan H.