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

(x+1) + (x+2) + (x+3) = 72

x+1+x+2+x+3=72

3x=66

x=22

Plug in 22 to (x+1) Answer: 23

The smallest of the 3 numbes would be 23. I prefer to figure this type of question out by taking the number given in this case, it's 72 and divide it by the number of addends (3). That would give you 24. 24 will be your middle number and the preceding number is 23.