Answered

Welcome to Westonci.ca, where you can find answers to all your questions from a community of experienced professionals. Explore thousands of questions and answers from knowledgeable experts in various fields on our Q&A platform. Explore comprehensive solutions to your questions from knowledgeable professionals across various fields on our platform.

The product of three consecutive natural number is 120 . What is their sum ?

Sagot :

a386
Let x = number 1
Let (x+1) = number 2
Let (x+2) = number 3

[tex]x(x+1)(x+2)=120\\ (x^{2} +x)(x+2)=120\\ x^{3}+2 x^{2} + x^{2} +2x-120=0\\ x^{3} +3 x^{2} +2x-120=0\\ [/tex]

4 is a solution
[tex]x^{3} +3 x^{2} +2x-120=0\\ 4^{3} +3 (4)^{2} +2(4)-120=0\\ 64+48+8-120=0[/tex]

The first number is 4, the next two are 5 and 6

4x5x6=120

4+5+6=15
let's call the first number x. the two numbers after it are x+1 and x+2. their product is 120.
x(x+1)(x+2) = 120
x(x^2 + 3x + 2) = 120
x^3 + 3x^2 + 2x = 120
x^3 + 3x^2 + 2x -120 = 0
whoa... that's a pretty nasty cubic... I'm not even sure how to go about that.

Never mind. Ignore all that stuff. Here's what we'll do.
Factor 120 to figure out what numbers could multiply to it:
120 = 5*3*2*2*2
We can break up that prime factorization into 2*2 * 5 * 2*3, which is the same thing as 4 * 5 * 6.

And there you go! Those are your three consecutive natural numbers that multiply to 120. Now find their sum:
4 + 5 + 6 = 15

Thank you for choosing our platform. We're dedicated to providing the best answers for all your questions. Visit us again. We hope this was helpful. Please come back whenever you need more information or answers to your queries. Your questions are important to us at Westonci.ca. Visit again for expert answers and reliable information.