Write and solve an inequality to find three consecutive whole numbers with a sum between 13 and 16

13 < 3x+3 < 16

4, 5, 6

Step-by-step explanation:

First, we know that the numbers are consecutive, so they are one after another on the number line. If the smallest one is x, the next one is x+1 and the next is x+2. The sum of them is x+x+1+x+2, or 3x+3. The sum is more than 13 and less than 16 because the problem says between, not equal to or between. To solve, subtract 3 from all three sides of the inequality to get "10 < 3x < 13". Finally, divide all of the sides by 3 to get "3.33 < x < 4.33". The only whole number in between those is 4, so the smallest number of the sequence is 4. The following numbers are 5 (x+1, 4+1) and 6 (x+2, 4+2).