The sum of three consecutive odd integers is –27. What are the numbers?

A.
{–11, –13, –15}

B.
{–10, –9, –8}

C.
{–7, –9, –11}

D.
{–5, –9, –13}

Question

The sum of three consecutive odd integers is –27. What are the numbers?
 
 A.
{–11, –13, –15}
 
 B.
{–10, –9, –8}
 
 C.
{–7, –9, –11}
 
 D.
{–5, –9, –13}

anonymous · Answer

ok, the first step is answer the following question

anonymous · Answer

how do you mathematically represent three consecutive odd numbers

anonymous · Answer

start with x.  let's say it is an odd number

anonymous · Answer

what is the next odd number

tkhunny · Answer

Also, for speedy test taking:

A. {–11, –13, –15} -- That's more that 30!  No good.
B. {–10, –9, –8} -- 8 is totally not odd.  No good.
D. {–5, –9, –13} -- Consecutive?  No.
C. {–7, –9, –11} -- This could be it!!

Note: An actual odd number can be represented by 2k+1, where k is an integer.  We can generalize in this way and not have to assume it is odd.  If you assume it is odd, and then it isn't, what's your plan?  :-)

anonymous · Answer

good point

tkhunny · Answer

I would still like @churchgirl103 to answer the question.

If x is an odd number, what is the next consecutive odd number.  Either direction.  You pick.