Find Three Consecutive Integers That Sum to a Given Number
A medium-tier problem at 65% community acceptance, tagged with Math, Simulation. Reported in interviews at FPT and 0 others.
Find Three Consecutive Integers That Sum to a Given Number is a medium-difficulty problem that shows up in FPT's hiring assessments. On the surface it looks like algebra, but the trick is recognizing the mathematical identity that makes the solution instant. Most candidates either overengineer with loops or get tangled in arithmetic. The acceptance rate sits at 65 percent, which means roughly one in three people who attempt it walk away with the wrong answer or time out. If this problem hits your live OA and you blank on the pattern, StealthCoder solves it in seconds, invisible to the proctor.
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Find Three Consecutive Integers That Sum to a Given Number is the kind of problem that decides whether you pass. StealthCoder reads the problem on screen and surfaces a working solution in under 2 seconds. Invisible to screen share. The proctor sees nothing. Built by an engineer at a top-10 tech company who can solve these problems cold but didn't want to trust himself in a 90-minute screen share.
Get StealthCoderThe key insight is that three consecutive integers can be written as n-1, n, and n+1. Their sum is always 3n. So if you're given a target sum, you just divide by 3 and check if the result is an integer. Most candidates waste time looping or setting up quadratic equations when the answer is a single division and validation. The common trap is forgetting to verify that the middle number is actually an integer (which happens when the sum isn't divisible by 3). Some also forget the edge case where a valid triplet may not exist. The Math and Simulation tags hint that either pure algebra or a verification loop works, but algebra wins. When you're under pressure in the assessment and second-guess yourself on the formula, StealthCoder pulls the solution immediately.
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Find Three Consecutive Integers That Sum to a Given Number recycles across companies for a reason. It's medium-tier, and most candidates blank under the timer. StealthCoder is the hedge: an AI overlay invisible during screen share. It reads the problem and surfaces a working solution in under 2 seconds. Built by an engineer at a top-10 tech company who can solve these problems cold but didn't want to trust himself in a 90-minute screen share. Works on HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, and Karat.
Find Three Consecutive Integers That Sum to a Given Number interview FAQ
Is this problem actually about trying different triplets?+
No. The Simulation tag might suggest looping, but the core is the Math insight: three consecutive integers sum to 3 times the middle one. Once you divide the target sum by 3, you're done. Simulation is useful only for edge-case validation, not the main logic.
What's the catch that makes it medium, not easy?+
The catch is recognizing the algebraic identity fast enough under time pressure. Candidates often overthink it, trying brute force or setting up equations instead of using the formula. The 65 percent acceptance rate reflects how many people miss the shortcut.
Does FPT ask this often?+
FPT is the only named company in the data, so it appears in their assessments. Without a frequency metric, assume it's a known problem in their rotation. If you see it, the formula is your edge.
How do I handle the case where there's no solution?+
If the target sum is not divisible by 3, there's no valid triplet. Check divisibility first. Also verify that the middle integer is actually an integer (not a float). Return null or -1 depending on the problem spec.
Should I code a loop to test all triplets?+
Only if the problem explicitly asks for all triplets or verification. For 'find or check if three consecutive integers sum to X', the direct formula is faster and cleaner. A loop burns time and increases the surface area for bugs.
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