consecutive even numbers

Question

the sum of three consecutive even integers is 66. find the second integer

Answer 1

Let n be the middle integer.  Since the even integers are consecutive, the first integer is n-2 and the third integer is n+2.  The sum of the three integers is 66:

 

66 = n - 2 + n + n + 2

 

66 = 3n

 

Solve for n.

Answer 2

The three numbers are x-2, x, and x+2

 

x-2 + x + x + 2 = 66

 

3x = 66

 

x = 22 is the middle number