Question

The sum of three consecutive odd number is 153. What is the smallest of the three numbers?

Answer 1

59, 51, 53
The formula you would use is 
x+(x+2)+(x+4)
If you need help understanding, feel free to comment..

Answer 2

First, divide 153 by 3, because there are 3 consecutive odd numbers that sum to be 153, to get a sense of where to start. 

153÷3 (consecutive odd numbers)= 51

Then try adding consecutive odd numbers around 51 to get the sum of 153. 

Trial and Error:

51+ 53+ 55 ≠ 153
47+ 49 + 51 ≠ 153

Then finally: 

49 + 51 + 53= 153

Hope this helps!