Problema Solution

Find three consecutive even integers such that five times the sum of the smallest and largest integers is the same as the square of the middle number.

Answer provided by our tutors

let the 3 consecutive even integers be 2x-2, 2x, 2x+2 where x is integer


2x-2 < 2x < 2x+2


smallest: 2x-2

middle: 2x

largest: 2x+2


five times the sum of the smallest and largest integers is the same as the square of the middle number


5(2x - 2 + 2x + 2) = (2x)^2


20x = 4x^2


4x^2 - 20x = 0

by solving the quadratic equations we find 2 solutions for x


x = 0


the three consecutive even integers are: -2, 0, 2


x = 5


the three consecutive even integers are: 8, 10, 12