Question

The sum of three consecutive integers is equal to 9 less than 4 times the least of the integers. What are the three integers?

Answer 1

`12,13,14`

Explanation:

We have three consecutive integers. Let's call them `x, x+1, x+2`.

Their sum, `x + x+1 + x+2=3x+3`

is equal to nine less than four times the least of the integers, or `4x-9`

And so we can say:

`3x+3=4x-9`

`x=12`

And so the three integers are:

`12,13,14`

Answer 2

`12,13 and 14`

Explanation:

Let the consecutive numbers be `color(blue)(x,x+1 and x+2`

The sum of these integers is equal to `9` less than `4` times the least which is `color(blue)(4x-9`

So,

`rarrx+x+1+x+2=4x-9`

`rarr3x+3=4x-9`

`rarr3+9=4x-3x`

`color(green)(rArrx=12`

`:.` The other numbers are `color(green)(x+1=13` and `color(green)(x+2=14`

Hope this is helpful! :)