translate into an equation Find three consecutive even integers whose sum is negative eighteen

Well if your sum is - 18 then you know your answers are going to be negative numbers.

make x be your first unknown negative even integer. you want your negative x and then negative x minus two and negative x minus four

x1 = x

x2 = x-2

x3 = x-4

you know all three need to equal - 18

solve for x:

-18 = - x + (-x-2) + (-x-4)

-18 = - x-x-2-x-4

-18+2+4 = - 3x

12=-3x

12/-3=x

-4=x

then plus x into the first problem.

x1 = - 4 = - 4

x2 = - 4-2 = - 6

x3 = - 4-4 = - 8

so your integers would be - 4, - 6, and - 8

check:

(-4) + (-6) + (-8) = - 18

let me know if you have any questions.