You may also like

Latin Numbers

Can you create a Latin Square from multiples of a six digit number?

Summing Consecutive Numbers

15 = 7 + 8 and 10 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4. Can you say which numbers can be expressed as the sum of two or more consecutive integers?

Number Sandwiches

Can you arrange the digits 1, 1, 2, 2, 3 and 3 to make a Number Sandwich?

Three Consecutive Odd Numbers

Age 11 to 16
Challenge 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?
 



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.