The sum of 4 consecutive numbers is 40. What is the second number in this sequence

Let us assume the first number = x

Then

The second number = x + 1

The third number = x + 2

The fourth number = x + 3

Then we can write the equation as

x + x + 1 + x + 2 + x + 3 = 40

4x + 6 = 40

4x = 40 - 6

4x = 34

x = 34/4

= 17/2

Then

The second number = x + 1

= (17/2) + 1

= (17 + 2) / 2

= 19/2

So the second consecutive number is 19/2