How do you find a set of three consecutive integers whose sum is equal to the sum of the next two consecutive integers immediately following them?

1 Answer
May 20, 2016

{4, 5, 6}

Explanation:

Let x be the least of the first three integers. Then the set consists of {x, x+1, x+2} where

x+(x+1)+(x+2) = (x+3)+(x+4)

Solving for x:

x+(x+1)+(x+2) = (x+3)+(x+4)

=> 3x+3 = 2x+7

=> 3x-2x = 7-3

:. x = 4

Checking our result:

4 + 5 + 6 = 15 = 7 + 8

Thus, we have our answer as {4, 5, 6}