Question

Find 3 consecutive even integers such that the square of the largest exceeds the sum of the quarters of the squares of the other two by 12

Answer 1

Wow, this is a complex statement. How do you feel with simpler problems of this nature?

"The sum of three consecutive integers is 12" for example.
or
"The sum of two consecutive odd numbers is 16"

There is quite a bit to break apart in this prob, that's why I ask.

Answer 2

I am lost on integers

Answer 3

Oh, ok. Then any explanation of this problem will probably seem way too confusing. Let's start with the ones I wrote instead. Those are a bit simpler, and will help build up to this problem.

Answer 4

An integer is a kind of number. It's a whole number which can be positive or negative. Also, zero is an integer.

... -3 , -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ... are all integers.

Answer 5

Do you know what "consecutive" means?

Answer 6

yes in a row ie 12 13 14

Answer 7

x is the first even integer
x+2 is the next even integer
x+4 is the third even integer
(x+4)^2=1/4*(x^2+(x+2)^2)+12

Answer 8

x^2+8x+16=1/4*(x^2+x^2+4x+4)+12
x^2+8x+16=1/4*(2x^2+4x+4)+12
x^2+8x+16=x^2/2+x+1+12
x^2+8x+16=x^2/2+x+13
-x^2/2+7x+3=0
x^2-14x-6=0
this does not give us integer
so maybe i misread the question

Answer 9

To me it seems many of these questions are not well written which doesn't help

Answer 10

the question seems really confusing lol

Answer 11

lol tell me about it. They are ALL that way

Answer 12

Myininaya -- what if we start with x = 1 :-p

You need to do 2n , 2n+2 , 2n+4.

Also, this is a complex problem. Is this a test or HW question?

Answer 13

It drives me mad when profs put questions on the test which are WAY MORE DIFFICULT and NOTHING LIKE the HW problems they assign or the problems they go over in class.

Answer 14

yeah, thanks for help. Is homework

Answer 15

it doesn't matter what kindof question this is
this is an algebra class
lol this is ridiculous for an algebra class

Answer 16

THANK YOU!!! I agree

Answer 17

unless it is a bonus question

Answer 18

Well in the proper context, it's not a ridiculous question. If this was a question at the end of the chapter on how to interpret word problems for an advanced algebra class, yeah it makes sense.

Is this a TYPICAL hw problem? Like, are all the others similar in complexity to it?

Answer 19

This is PRE algebra. They are all this way

Answer 20

and not a bonus question regular one

Answer 21

i haven't gave up yet
you wrote the question exactly as it appears in the book right?

Answer 22

yes

Answer 23

others or other?

Answer 24

nvm

Answer 25

I cant wait for this class to be over

Answer 26

i don't see how it isn't
(x+4)^2=1/4*x^2+1/4*(x+2)^2+12
x^2+8x+16=1/4*x^2+1/4*(x^2+4x+4)+12
x^2+8x+16=1/4*x^2+1/4*x^2+x+1+12
x^2+8x+16=1/2*x^2+x+13
1/2*x^2+7x+3=0
x^2+14x+6=0
but like i said before this does not give an integer for x
so i just don't get the question i guess
mathteacher will you please tell me what is wrong with this

Answer 27

I appreciate your help

Answer 28

i tried lol
i can't see this problem any other way
what i have above is what it means to me
maybe i'm making a mistake in the translation, but i don't see where or how
so sorry

Answer 29

No need to be sorry, I appreciate it.

Answer 30

Ok, got something, but I think there might be an issue with the wording here. Lemmie know what you think.

Answer 31

that is exactly how i set my up
exept we introduced are variables differently

Answer 32

makes more sense than what I got

Answer 33

hey that is 12 right not 15?

Answer 34

yes

Answer 35

ok i have discussed this problem with others and they also agree there are no such integers
i'm just shocked they would have given you a problem that you cannot find the solution to
so just say there are no such integers

Answer 36

ok thank you