How do you find three consecutive odd integers such that the sum of all three is 36 less than the product of the smaller two?

1 Answer
Noah G
Dec 11, 2016

7, 9, 11.

Explanation:

Let the numbers be x, x + 2 and x + 4

x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = x(x + 2) - 36

x + x + 2 + x + 4 = x^2 + 2x - 36

3x + 6 = x^2 + 2x- 36

0 = x^2 - x - 42

0 = (x - 7)(x + 6)

x = 7 and -6

Since the numbers have to be odd, the numbers are 7, 9 and 11.

Hopefully this helps!

Related questions
See all questions in Problem-Solving Models
Impact of this question
1306 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License