The sum of 3 consecutive even numbers is 78. What is the second number in this sequence?

Question

I don't know the formula of this question? Can you please explain to me. 

Answer 1

Think of the first consecutive even number as x

 

The second consecutive even number is x + 2

 

The third consecutive even number is x + 4

 

The sum of these three terms :

 

x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 78

 

3x + 6 =78

 

3x = 72

 

x = 24

 

The second number would be 26

 

 

NOTE: The middle number of a sequence of consecutive numbers can be found by dividing the sum by the number of terms. 78 ÷ 3 = 26