Example of number problem solving question 4

Question:

Three consecutive integers are listed in increased order. If their product is 336. What is the second integer in the list?

Solution:

Use the factoring method to find these numbers.

336 ÷ 2 = 168

168 ÷ 2 = 84

84 ÷ 2 = 42

42 ÷ 2 = 21

21 ÷ 3 = 7

so 336 = (2)(2)(2)(2)(3)(7) = 2³ × 2 × 3 × 7

since 2³ = 8

so 336 = 8 × 6 × 7

the list of the numbers in increasing order is 6, 7, 8

So the second integer in the list is 7.

The product of three consecutive integers are 336. Factoring the number 336, find that 6 × 7 × 8 is equal to 336. So the three integers in increase order are 6, 7, and 8. The second integer is 7.