Can you find three consecutive odd numbers that …
… total 7,644,585 when multiplied together?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
Try starting with the cube root of the number.
Answer
195 x 197 x 199.
Reasoning
Since we're after three numbers that multiply together, a good place to start is the cube root of 7,644,585, which is roughly 196.99.
Let's try dividing by the closest odd number to 196.99:
7644585 ÷ 197 = 38805
We're now after whole divisors of 38,805, so trying either odd number either side of 197 might work.
Trying either 195 or 199 gives the answer.
Double-Checking
195 x 197 x 199 = 7,644,585
Note
Trying the closest odd number to the cube root always works, and the other two numbers are the odd numbers either side.
