Find three consecutive odd integers such that the sum of the smallest and 7 times the largest is 68

First we must assign variables to the integers.

x = smallest

y = middle

z = largest

x + 7z = 68 ← This equation represents the given information

We can assume that "z" is less than 11 because 7*11 = 77, which is greater than 68.

Our possible consecutive odd integers could be:

a) 1, 3, 5

b) 3, 5, 7

c) 5,7, 9

Lets to plug in the "x" and "z" values

a) 1 + 7 (5) = 1 + 35 = 36 This is incorrect, because 36 ≠ 68

b) 3 + 7 (7) = 3 + 49 = 52 This is incorrect as well, because 52 ≠ 68

That leaves our final choice. Let's check to be certain

c) 5 + 7 (9) = 5 + 63 = 68

5, 7, 9 is the 3 consecutive integers such that the sum of the smallest and 7 times the largest is 68.