Question

Chloe is trying to find three consecutive, positive integers such that six times the largest is equal to the twice sum of the two smaller integers. Show that the three consecutive, positive integers 4, 5, and 6 are not the ones Chloe is looking for.

Answer 1

The three consecutive numbers cannot be 4, 5, and 6 because, the result will be 36 ≠ 18, which is indeterminate

Explanation:

The given parameters are;

The three consecutive positive numbers Chloe is trying to find are x, x+1, x + 2

The conditions of the three positive numbers are;

6 × (x + 2) = 2 × (x + x + 1)

We check if the three consecutive numbers can be 4, 5, and 6 by substituting the values as follows;

x + 2 = 6

x + 1 = 5

x = 4

Which gives;

6 × (6) ≠ 2 × (4 + 5)

36 ≠ 18

Therefore, the three consecutive numbers cannot be 4, 5, and 6