
Gaurav P. answered 09/22/20
Computer Science Student with Teaching Experience
Three consecutive numbers can be represented as x, x+1, and x+2.
As you say in your question, the sum of these three consecutive numbers equals 84. In other words, x + (x+1) + (x+2) = 84. Applying the associative property of addition, you get 3x+3 = 84. Subtract 3 from each side and divide each side by 3, and you get x = 27.
But the question isn't simply asking you for x, it's asking you for the three consecutive numbers, which are x, x+1, and x+2. So the answer is 27, 28, and 29.