The sum of three consecutive numbers is 72. What are the smallest of these numbers?

Answer 1

The first thing we want to do is translate this into a math equation.

If we call the first number "x", then we know that the following numbers can be represented by x+1 & x+2. This is because we were told that the values are consecutive.

 

The numerical equation can be represented as:

  x + ( x + 1 ) + ( x + 2 ) = 72

 

Simplify the equation to get:

 

3x + 3 = 72

 

Solve for X:

x = 69 / 3

 

x = 23

Use this value of "x" to determine the other values.

the three numbers are 23,24,25

Answer 2

Consecutive integers may be represented by (x), (x+1) and (x+2). The sum is 3x+3.

Or, let's represent them by (n-1), (n), and (n+1). the sum is 3n.

3n = 72

n = 24

The integers are 23, 24, and 25. The smallest integer is 23.

Answer 3

X + x+1 + x+2 =72

3x + 3 = 72

3x =69

x = 23