Question

The sim of three consecutive integers is -204. What is the largest integer?

Answer 1

Let the largest of the three integers be x. The next smaller one is x - 1, and the smallest is x - 2.

Now we add them and set the sum equal to -204.

x + x - 1 + x - 2 = -204

3x - 3 = -204

3x = -201

x = -67

Answer: The largest integer is -67.

Answer 2

To find the largest integer, we must know what the smallest is first. Let the smallest be x. Note that it is consecutive, and so the other numbers are 1 greater and 2 greater than x.

Set the equation:

(x) + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = -204

Simplify. Combine like terms

(x + x + x) + (1 + 2) = -204

3x + 3 = -204

Isolate the x. Note the equal sign. What you do to one side, you do to the other. Do the opposite of PEMDAS.

First, subtract 3 from both sides

3x + 3 (-3) = -204 (-3)

3x = -207

Next, divide 3 from both sides

3x/3 = -207/3

x = -207/3

x = -69

-69 is the smallest number. To find the largest integer, plug it back in to (x + 2)

x = -69

-69 + 2= -67

-67 is your largest integer.

hope this helps