Question

The sum of three consecutive even integers is –78. What are the integers?

Answer 1

-28, -26 and -24.

Explanation:

n + (n + 2 ) + (n + 4) = -78 where n = the lowest of the even integers

3n + 6 = -78

3n = -84

n = -28.

So the integers are -28, -26 and -24.

Answer 2

the three even integers are -28, -26 and -24.

Explanation:

Represent the three numbers as follows:

n

n+2

n+4

Their sum is n + n+2 + n+4 = -78.

Combining the n terms, we get:

3n + 6 = -78, or

3n = -84

Then n = -84/3, or n = -28.

Then the three even integers are -28, -26 and -24.