Discussion
If the average of the consecutive even integers a, b, and c is less than 
, which of the following best describes the value of a?
*This question is included in Nova Press: Set E - Number Theory, question #4
, which of the following best describes the value of a?
| (A) | a is prime |
| (B) | ... |
| (C) | ... |
| (D) | ... |
| (E) | ... |
| (F) | ... |
The solution is
Posted: 11/02/2013 03:49
I didn't get this, would you please help?
Posted: 11/12/2013 15:31
Mohammad, have you followed the explanation? It's a very good one. Here I repeat: let a, b, and c be the consecutive even integers. well b=a+2, and c=a+4, so the average of a, b, and c is a+2. According to the problem, the average of a, b, and c is less then ⅓ a, so that means a+2 < ⅓ a. Reducing this inequality gives us a < -3. So a is negative, or (E).