### Three Neighbours

Take three consecutive numbers and add them together. What do you notice?

### Secondary Toughnuts

These secondary problems have not yet been solved. Can you be the first?

### Different Products

Take four consecutive whole numbers. Multiply the first and last numbers together. Multiply the middle pair together. What do you notice?

# Three Consecutive Odd Numbers

##### Age 11 to 16Challenge Level

$3, 5, 7$ are a set of three consecutive odd numbers which are all prime.

$109, 111$ and $113$ are a set of three consecutive odd numbers which are not all prime $(111=37\times3)$.

Can you find another set of three consecutive odd numbers which are all prime?

If not, might it be impossible?

Mathematicians aren't usually satisfied with testing a few examples to convince themselves that something is always true, and look to proofs to provide rigorous and convincing arguments and justifications.

Can you prove that there is only one set of three consecutive odd numbers which are all prime?

Below is a proof that has been scrambled up.
Can you rearrange it into its original order?

If you can find a proof which is different to the one in our proof sorter, then please do let us know by submitting it as a solution.

Extension:

Take a look at Take Three from Five which requires similar reasoning to this problem.

We are very grateful to the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research for their generous support for the development of this resource.