----------------------------------------------- Define x : ----------------------------------------------- Let the smallest number be x. The other two numbers will be x+1 and x+2.
----------------------------------------------- Construct equation : ----------------------------------------------- The sum of all 3 numbers is 78 ⇒ x + x + 1 + x + 2 = 78
----------------------------------------------- Solve x : ----------------------------------------------- x + x + 1 + x + 2 = 78 3x + 3 = 78 3x = 78 - 3 3x = 75 x = 25
----------------------------------------------- Answer: Smallest number = 25 -----------------------------------------------
Lets call them a, b, c we know that a+b+c=78 and we know they are consecutive which makes this problem a lot more easier the number just after another number is that number plus one. example: the number just after 3 is 3+1...which is 4 lets write our consecutive numbers in a way that we can use this principle: a, a+1, a+2
a+a+1+a+2=78 3a+3=78 3a=75 a=25 the smallest number is 25
