The sum of 3 consecutive numbers is -12 what are the 3 numbers

Question

How do I find the 3 numbers

Answer 1

using arithmetic...

-12/3=-4

-4-1=-5

-4+1=-3

-3, -4, -5 are the numbers

using algebra...

x, x+1, and x+2 represent the three consecutive integers

x+(x+1)+(x+2)=-12

3x+3=-12

3x=-12-3

3x=-15

x=-15/3

x=-5

x+1=-5+1=-4

x+2=-5+2=-3

-3, -4, -5 are the numbers

note: if you have three consecutive integers, three consecutive odd integers, or three consecutive even integers, the middle number is always the mean or average

example: 4, 5, 6     4+5+6=15 and 15/3=5

               7, 9, 11   7+9+11=27 and 27/3=9

               12, 14, 16   12+14=16=42 and 42/3=14