The sum of three consecutive integers is 243. Write an equation and solve it to find the smallest integer.
A) x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 243, x = 79
B) x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 243, x = 80
C) (x - 2) + x + (x + 1) = 243, x = 80
D) x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 243, x = 81
E) (x - 2) + (x - 1) + x = 243, x = 81

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let x be the smallest of the three consecutive integers.
Then the next two integers are x + 1 and x + 2.
The sum of the three consecutive integers can be written as:
x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 243
Simplifying the left side of the equation:
3x + 3 = 243
Subtracting 3 from both sides of the equation:
3x = 240
Dividing both sides of the equation by 3:
x = 80
Therefore, the smallest integer is 80. Choice B is the correct answer.

The Sum of Three Consecutive Integers Is 243