Two times the least of three consecutive odd integers exceeds three times the greatest by 15. What are the integers?

Answer 1

Consecutive odd integers differ by two, so we may let n - 1, n + 1, and n + 3 be the three consecutive odd integers. The least of these integers is n - 1 and the greatest is n + 3. Thus

2(n - 1) = 3(n + 3) + 15

2n - 2 = 3n + 9 + 15

2n - 2 = 3n + 24

2n - 3n = 2 + 24

-n = 26

n = -26

The three integers are thus -27, -25, and -23.

Answer 2

Here's a question that I made up that is just like yours, so that you can still get the practice of doing your own!

Now, I realize that I didn't quite finish my problem (my timer said I was taking too long) can you see what I missed?

The key to your question however comes down to relating the 3 consecutive odd integers back to a single variable. There is a really easy way to do this! Watch the video for more.