the sum of three consective is 72 what are the smallest of these numbers

Question

 i do not understand 

i do not understand 

i do not understand 

i do not understand

Answer 1

"three consecutive numbers"     means  x, (x+1), (x+2).

     These are numbers like:  34, 35, 36  or 15, 16, 17  or 22, 23, 24.

 

"the sum . . . is 72)    means  

   sum =  x + (x+1) + (x+2)

  or

   sum = 34+35+36 = 105

 

Since the problem gives the sum as 72,

   x + (x+1) + (x+2) = 72

     3x + 3 = 72

       3x = 69

        x = 23

The three numbers are 23, 24, 25.

 

" what is the smallest of these numbers?"

 

The smallest of the three numbers is 23.

Answer 2

Answer - 23, 24, 25

 

23+24+25= 72   sum is answer in addition     and consecutive means numbers in order like 1, 2, 3. 

 

Is the question 3 consecutive even  if so then.   x = smallest even

                                                                     x+2 = next even

                                                                     x+4 = the 3rd one

              X + (X+2) + (X+4) = 72    (solve equation) 

                         combine like terms

             3X + 6 = 72

                         Solve Equation

            3X  =  66       ( - 6  from both sides  )

            X= 22,  X+2= 24,  X+4= 26