The sum of three consecutive, even integers is –18. What is the value of the smallest integer?

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Create an equation that describes the situation. If x represents the first even integer, x + 2 represents the second integer and x + 4 represents the third. The sum of the integers is x + x + 2 + x + 4 = 3x + 6. Set this expression equal to the sum of the integers, –18, and solve for x: 3x + 6 = –18, 3x = –24, x = –8. Since x is the first number, it is the smallest of the three consecutive, even integers.

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