Question

Given three consecutive odd integers, what is the greatest number if triple of the sum of thrice the third one and twice the first one is equal to 291? ( grid-in )​

Answer 1

Let n be the smallest of these integers. The other two are then n + 2 and n + 4.

"triple of the sum of thrice the third one and twice the first one is equal to 291" is a long-winded way of saying

3 (3 (n + 4) + 2n) = 291

Solve for n :

3 (3n + 12 + 2n) + 291

3 (5n + 12) = 291

15n + 36 = 291

15n = 255

n = 17

Then the greatest of the three integers is n + 4 = 21.