When 3 consecutive positive integers are multiplied, the product is 16 times the sum of the 3 integers. What is the difference of the product minus the sum?
Let the 3 consecutive positive integers be:
x(x + 1)(x + 2)
The sum is:
x + x + 1 + x + 2 = 3x + 3
We're told the product is equivalent to:
x(x + 1)(x + 2) = 16(3x + 3)
x(x + 1)(x + 2) = 16 * 3(x + 1)
Divide each side by (x + 1)
x(x + 2) = 48
x^2 + 2x = 48
x^2 + 2x - 48 = 0
Now subtract the sum from the product:
x^2 + 2x - 48 - (3x + 3)
x^2 - x - 51
Let the 3 consecutive positive integers be:
- x
- x + 1
- x + 2
x(x + 1)(x + 2)
The sum is:
x + x + 1 + x + 2 = 3x + 3
We're told the product is equivalent to:
x(x + 1)(x + 2) = 16(3x + 3)
x(x + 1)(x + 2) = 16 * 3(x + 1)
Divide each side by (x + 1)
x(x + 2) = 48
x^2 + 2x = 48
x^2 + 2x - 48 = 0
Now subtract the sum from the product:
x^2 + 2x - 48 - (3x + 3)
x^2 - x - 51