What are three consecutive even integers whose sum is negative one hundred and eighty-six?
-- method -- We need X numbers which are consecutive, so the
middle number will be 1/ X of the total. Divide the sum of the
numbers by the number of numbers ... in this case divide 186 by 3.
The numbers are to be consecutive and even, so subtract 2 from the
number go get one of the numbers and add 2 to the number to get the
other number. You now have three numbers which are even and
consecutive. Now, place a minus sign in front of them, to turn them
into negative numbers For instance 12, 14 and 16 are three
consecutive numbers whose sum is 42. -12, -14 and - 16 are three
consecutive even integers whose sum is -42 Now you know all you
need to solve the problem.