The sum of three consecutive even integers is –78. what are the integers? describe how you would use the strategy of writing an equation to solve the given problem.

-28, -26, -24

You would start by assigning the basic variable of x to the first number. After that each number must be two higher. So the next two numbers must be x + 2 and x + 4. By adding all three of those together and setting it equal to -78, you can find the first and, therefore, all of the other numbers as well.