The sum of three consecutive even numbers is 156
What is the smallest of the three numbers
Let's assume that the smallest of the three consecutive even numbers is x.
Since the numbers are consecutive even numbers, the next two even numbers will be x+2 and x+4.
According to the problem, the sum of these three numbers is 156.
So, we can write an equation:
x + (x+2) + (x+4) = 156
Simplifying the equation:
3x + 6 = 156
Subtracting 6 from both sides:
3x = 150
Dividing both sides by 3:
x = 50
Therefore, the smallest of the three consecutive even numbers is 50.
The three consecutive even numbers are: 50, 52, and 54.
or, just note that 156/3 = 52
So if the three numbers were all the same, they'd be 52,52,52
But, we want three consecutive even numbers, so lower one and raise the other: 50, 52, 54
had they been just three consecutive numbers, that'd be 51,52,53