Question

How do you find three consecutive odd integers, whose sum is 57?

Answer 1

Let the first and the smallest integer be `x-2`

Then... the second integer will be `x`

Then.... the third integer will be `x+2`

Now... their sum is `57`

`xcancel(-2)+x+x+cancel2=57`

You get

`3x=57`

`x=57/3`

`color(red)(x=19`( that's the second integer)

First integer
`x-2=19-2`

`color(red)(x-2=17`

Third integer
`x+2=19+2`

`color(red)(x+2=21`

Answer 2

Three consecutive odd integers are `17,19,21`

Explanation:

Let the three consecutive odd integers are `2 x-1, 2 x+1,2 x+3`

Then , `2 x-1+2 x+1+2 x+3=57 or 6 x+3=57` or

`6 x =54 :. x=9 , 2 x - 1= 17 , 2 x +1=19 , 2 x+3= 21`

Three consecutive odd integers are `17,19,21` [Ans]