Question

Find three consecutive even integers whose sum is -132

Answer 1

The consecutive even numbers are -42, -44, -46

Explanation:

As the numbers are consecutive even integers,

Let,

The first number is "x"

The second number is "x+2"

The third number is "x+4"

According to the equation,

x + (x+2) + (x+4) = -132

As the sum is -132. Now we break the parenthesis by using the addition rule.

or, x + x + 2 + x + 4 = -132

or, 3x + 6 = -132

or, 3x = -132 - 6 (side change)

or, 3x = -138

or, x = -138/3 (interchange)

or, x = -46

Therefore, the first number is -46

The second number is -46+2 = -44

And the third number is -46+4 = -42

The consecutive even numbers are -42, -44, -46