Let the three consecutive integers be represented as x−1, x, and x+1.
According to the problem, the sum of these integers is equal to their product:
(x−1)+x+(x+1)=(x−1)×x×(x+1)
Simplifying the left-hand side:
(x−1)+x+(x+1)=3x
Simplifying the right-hand side:
(x−1)×x×(x+1)=x(x2−1)=x3−x
Now, equating both sides:
3x=x3−x
Rearranging the equation:
x3−4x=0
Factoring out x:
x(x2−4)=0
This gives two possible factors:
x=0 or x2−4=0
Solving x2−4=0:
x2=4→x=2 or x=−2
Thus, the possible values for x are 0, 2, and -2.
Conclusion:
There are 3 such possibilities: x=0, x=2, and x=−2.
Hence, the correct answer is C. Only three.