Question

The sum of the squares of 3 consecutive positive integers is 116. What are the numbers?

Which of the following equations is used in the process of solving this problem?

3n 2 + 5 = 116
3n 2 + 6n + 5 = 116

Answer 1

Lets assume first integer to be n
Second will be n +1
Third will be n+2
The sum of respective squares will be n²+(n+1)²+(n+2)²
Equation can be formed in this manner
n²+(n+1)²+(n+2)²= 116
Solve it

Answer 2

so then it will be 3n 2 + 6n + 5 = 116