The idea here is to combine terms that have the same variable (or, in more complicated cases, the same combination of variables). For example, 3a + 2a is the same as 5a.
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5a + 11
-8a + 3a = (-8 + 3)a = (5)a = 5a
9a +8 -2a -3 -5a = 2a +5
It is: 7a+1 when simplified
The three integers, since they are consecutive, can be listed as a, a+1, and a+2. Twice the first is 2a. Three times the third is 3(a+2) = 3a+6. First make a formula of the information given: 2a+(3a+6)= -24 Next, solve the formula: 5a + 6 = -24 Subtract 6 from each side. 5a = -30 Divide each side by 5. a = -6 The three consecutive numbers are -6, -5, and -4.