Understanding Consecutive Multiples
To represent consecutive multiples of 3 starting with a number x, we must remember what a multiple of 3 is. A multiple of a number is obtained by multiplying that number by an integer.
Definition of Multiples of 3
- The first multiple of 3 after x can be represented as:
- x + (3 - (x mod 3)) if x is not already a multiple of 3.
- If x is a multiple of 3, then the first multiple is simply x.
Consecutive Multiples of 3
- Once we have the starting point, the next consecutive multiples of 3 can be calculated by simply adding 3 repeatedly.
Option Analysis
Let's analyze option B: x, x + 3, x + 6.
- First term:
- The initial term is x.
- Second term:
- The second term is x + 3, which is the next multiple of 3 after x.
- Third term:
- The third term is x + 6, which is 3 added to the previous term (x + 3), making it 2 multiples of 3 after x.
Why Other Options are Incorrect
- Option A: x, x + 1, x + 2
- These are not multiples of 3.
- Option C: x, x + 2, x + 4
- These numbers skip multiples of 3.
- Option D: x, x + 3, x + 9
- This skips the multiple x + 6, making it incorrect.
Conclusion
Thus, the correct representation of consecutive multiples of 3 starting with x is option B: x, x + 3, x + 6.