Question

Three consecutive odd numbers have a sum of 45. what is the greatest number?

Answer 1

Let's assume the middle number is $x$
then the smallest number is $x-2$
the greatest number is $x+2$
so the sum of the three number would be $(x-2)+x+(x+2)$ and it equals 45
now we have an equation $(x-2)+x+(x+2)=45$
then we solve it $3x=45$
$x=15$, which means the middle number equals 15
so the greatest number would be $x+2=15+2=17$
17 is the greatest number