How do you find four consecutive even integers whose sum is 42?

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Answer 1 · 2016-10-30T08:05:53

There are no possible even integers which add to 42.

Consecutive numbers are separated by 1.
Consecutive odd or even numbers are separated by 2.

Define the consecutive even numbers with variable first.

Let the first even number be #x#.
The next three are #(x+2), (x+4), (x+6)

Their sum is 42. Write an equation...

#x + x+2 +x+4+x+6 = 42#

#4x + 12 =42#

#4x = 42-12#

#4x = 30#

#x = 7 1/2#

This is not an even integer.
There are no consecutive even integers which add up to 42.

Check:
#8+10+12+14 = 44#
#6+8+10+12=36#