Question

Is it possible to find 3 consecutive even integers whose sum is 40? Why?

Answer 1

The three odd integers are represented by

x

x + 2

x + 4

The sum is 40 more than the smallest value

x

+

(

x

+

2

)

+

(

x

+

4

)

=

x

+

40

x

+

x

+

2

+

x

+

4

=

x

+

40

3

x

+

6

=

x

+

40

2

x

=

34

x

=

17

17 + 19 + 21 = 57

17 = 57 - 40