Question

The sum of the squares of three consecutive integers is 509. Determine the integers.

Answer 1

Answer:

12, 13, 14

Step-by-step explanation:

Denote the integers as:

x

x+1

x+2

The sum of their squares, so that would be;

(x^(2)) + (( x + 1 )^(2)) + (( x + 2 )^(2)) = 509

write out the squares

x^2 + x^2 + 2x + 1 + x^2 + 4x + 4 = 509

combine like terms

3x^2 + 6x + 5 = 509

inverse operations

3x^2 + 6x + 5 = 509

                -5     -5

3x^2 + 6x = 504

factor

3x^2 + 6x = 504

3 ( x^2 + 2x ) =504

Inverse operations

3 ( x^2 + 2x ) = 504

/3                       /3

x^2 + 2x = 168

Factor again

x ( x + 2 ) = 168

At this point, it should be obvious that x is 12 (because 12 * 14 = 168)

So now substitute back into the consecutive numbers

x = 12

x + 1 = 13

x + 2 = 14