QUESTION 21

The sum of three consecutive integers is -14. What are the three integers?

Write an equation that properly models the problem. Let the letter [tex]\( x \)[/tex] represent the smallest of these three integers.



Answer :

To solve the problem of finding three consecutive integers whose sum is -14, we start by defining the integers and forming an equation.

1. Define the integers:
- Let [tex]\( x \)[/tex] represent the smallest of the three consecutive integers.
- Therefore, the next two integers would be [tex]\( x+1 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x+2 \)[/tex].

2. Form the equation based on the sum:
- The sum of these three consecutive integers is given by:
[tex]\[ x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = -14 \][/tex]

3. Simplify the equation:
- Combine like terms:
[tex]\[ x + x + 1 + x + 2 = -14 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 3x + 3 = -14 \][/tex]

4. Solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
- First, isolate the term with [tex]\( x \)[/tex] by subtracting 3 from both sides:
[tex]\[ 3x + 3 - 3 = -14 - 3 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 3x = -17 \][/tex]
- Next, solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex] by dividing both sides by 3:
[tex]\[ x = \frac{-17}{3} \][/tex]

5. Interpret the result:
- The value [tex]\( x = \frac{-17}{3} \)[/tex] is not an integer. Since [tex]\( x \)[/tex] must represent an integer (the smallest one in this context), it indicates there is no integer solution for this equation.
- The problem necessitates that [tex]\( x \)[/tex] be an integer, hence the sum of three consecutive integers cannot equal -14 under these conditions.

Therefore:
[tex]\[ \boxed{\text{The sum of three consecutive integers cannot be -14 with integer values.}} \][/tex]