Step-by-step explanation:
The question above is answered below.
Consecutive numbers are set of numbers that follow one another in ascending or descending order, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5....
The sum of three consecutive numbers = 72
Let the unknown consecutive numbers be represented by x+1, x+2 and x+3 such that:
Remove the brackets
Collect like terms and simplify
Make 3x subject of formula by subtracting 6 from both sides
To obtain the value of x, divide through by the coefficient of x, which is 3. Hence;
Since x = 22,
The smallest of these numbers is 23.
Check,
23 + 24 + 25 = 72