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What is the smallest of the three numbers if the sum of three consecutive numbers is 72?

Answer 1

Ethan Adkins

Assume for the moment that x is the smallest number. If so, the other two numbers are x+1 and x+2.

The sum of these three numbers is #72#

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

#x + x+ 1 + x + 2 = 72#

incorporating similar terms

#3x + 3 = 72#

solving for #x#

subtract #3# from both sides;

#3x + 3 - 3 = 72 -3#

#3x = 69 #

Divide both the sides by #3#

#(3x) / 3 = 69 /3#

#x = 23#

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Answer 2

Ethan Adkins

Let ( x ) be the smallest number. Since the numbers are consecutive, the three numbers can be represented as ( x ), ( x + 1 ), and ( x + 2 ). Their sum is ( x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 3x + 3 = 72 ). Solving for ( x ), we get ( x = 23 ). Thus, the smallest number is ( x = 23 ).

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.