How to find three consecutive integers whose sum is -15

Answer 1

First off, we need to denote the integers after carefully reading the problem. We start by saying, x = the first integer. Every consecutive integer is 1 place away from x, so then x + 1, then x + 2. The sum always means addition. So we can then set up the equation as: x + (x +1) + (x + 2) = -15.

By combining like terms we get: 3x + 3 = -15 (Meaning we add up all of the x(s) and numbers)

Subtract 3 from both sides. We get 3x = -18. Then divide both side by 3. We get x = -6.

Finally we go back to our variables, and plug in the value for x = -6. We get -6, -5, and -4. If we add all of these up we get -15, as -6 -5 - 4 = -15. We are done at this point.

Answer 2

Consecutive integers are integers that come one after the other, like 1,2,3. So, if our starting integer is x, the next two would be x+1 and x+2.

So, now we can set up the problem like this:

x + (x+1 )+ (x+2)= -15 , which we can simplify to 3x + 3 = -15 (because we grouped the x's together, and added the remaining integers).

Now, we subtract 3 from both sides to get 3x = -18. Divide both sides by 3, and you have x = -6.