The sum of three consecutive even

numbers is 72. What is the smallest of

these numbers?

Answer: 23, 24 and 25

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the first number be x, the second number x+1 and the third number x + 2, this implies

x + x+1 + x + 2 = 72

3x + 3 = 72

3x = 69 x

x = 23

therefore the first number = 23

second number = 23+1 = 24

Third number = 23 + 2 = 25