The sum of three consecutive even integers is 12 less than the middle integer. What's the answer?

2 Answers
Jun 29, 2018

color(crimson)("The three consecutive even numbers are "-8, -6, -4

Explanation:

Let a, b, c be the three integers.

a = b -2, c = b + 2

a + b + c = 3b = b - 12, " given"

3b - b = -12 " or " b = -6

:. a = b - 2 = -6 - 2 = -8 " & " c = b + 2 = -6 + 2 = -4

Jun 29, 2018

See explanation.

Explanation:

Any even integer can be expressed as 2n for some integer n. Now if the middle integer is 2n, then the other are: 2n-2 and 2n+2.

With the given variables the condition can be written as:

2n-2+2n+2n+2=2n-12

6n=2n-12

4n=-12

n=-3

Now we have to substitute -3 for n in the formulas:

2n-2=-8

2n=-6

2n+2=-4

Answer:

The three integers are: -8, -6 and -4.