could someone help with math?

Question

The sum of three consecutive even integers is -60. Find the numbers.

 

the numbers are _____

Answer 1

How to represent 3 consecutive even integers?

 

Let x = the first of three consecutive even integers.

 

Then x + 2 = the 2nd (because to get from one even integer to the next one you add 2)

 

Then x + 4 = the 3rd (ditto)

 

The sum means the result of adding them together and we are told the sum is -60.

 

So: x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = -60   (parentheses added for emphasis, but not required)

 

3x + 6 = -60  (combine similar terms)

 

3x = -66   (subtract 6 from both sides)

 

x = -22  (divide by 3)

 

-22, -20, -18  (those do indeed add to -60)

 

 

Answer 2

Consecutive even integers will be separated by a value of 2:

Example:   2, 4, 6, ...

 

Let x = 1st integer

x+2 = 2nd integer

x+4 = 3rd integer

 

x + x+2 + x+4 = -60   combine the x terms

3x + 6 = -60               subtract 6 from both sides

3x = -66                     divide both sides by 3

 

x = -22

 

x + 2 = -20

 

x + 4 = -18

 

Your 3 consecutive even integers are -22, -20, -18