Write three consecutive odd numbers starting from n

Key takeaway: For consecutive odd numbers, the pattern moves up by 2 each time. That keeps every number odd.

If the smallest odd number is $N$, then the next odd numbers are found by adding 2 each time.

So the three consecutive odd numbers are:

$N,\; N+2,\; N+4$

That works because odd numbers differ by 2.

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Pitfalls the pros know 👇 Don’t write $N+1$ or $N+3$ here. Those would switch the parity and give even numbers mixed in with odd ones. The gap between consecutive odd numbers is always 2.

What if the problem changes? If Hassan had been thinking of three consecutive even numbers instead, the pattern would be

$N,\; N+2,\; N+4$

as well, but with $N$ even. The rule is the same; only the starting parity changes.

Tags: consecutive numbers, odd numbers, number pattern