The sum of 3 consecutive numbers equals 240
What are the 3 numbers?
Setup Relational Equation
1) Set up an equation where our numbers are n, n + 1, n + 2
2) We increment by 1 for each number since we have numbers.
3) We set this sum of consecutive numbers equal to 240
n + (n + 1) + (n + 2) = 240
Simplify this equation by grouping variables and constants together:
(n + n + n) + 1 + 2 = 240
3n + 3 = 240
Subtract 3 from each side to isolate 3n:
3n + 3 - 3 = 240 - 3
Cancel the 3 on the left side and we get:
3n + 3 - 3 = 240 - 3
3n = 237
Divide each side of the equation by 3 to isolate n:
| 3n | |
| 3 |
| = |
| 237 |
| 3 |
Cancel the 3 on the left side:
| = |
| 237 |
| 3 |
n = 79
Call this n1, so we find our other 2 numbers
n2 = n1 + 1
n2 = 79 + 1
n2 = 80
n3 = n2 + 1
n3 = 80 + 1
n3 = 81
List out the 3 consecutive numbers
79 ← 1st number, or the Smallest, Minimum, Least Value
80 ← 2nd number
81 ← 3rd or the Largest, Maximum, Highest Value
Check your work:
79 + 80 + 81 ? 240
240 = 240
Final Answer:
(79, 80, 81)
