Question

The sum if three consecutive even numbers is 78 What is the smallest of the three numbers ?

Answer 1

Let the smallest number equal n. Therefore, the other numbers are (n+2) and (n+4).

The sum of the three numbers are:

$n + (n+2) + (n+4)$

$=3n+6$

Since the sum equals 78, 

$3n+6=78$

Divide both sides by 3, 

$n+2=26$

$n=24$

Therefore, the smallest number is 24.