Answer:
The smallest even number is 14
Explanation:
Let's assume smallest number =x
Since, there are three consecutive even numbers
so, largest number will be x+2+2=x+4
four times the largest is seven times the smallest decreased by 26 units
so, we can set up equation as
![4* (x+4)=7* x-26](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/o5vj3zjaxma50do7yx4cevbxskwyfn7xyq.png)
now, we can solve for x
![4x+16=7x-26](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/q7qms5a5xfadgmmpkmlhndrzmiv39l8fin.png)
![4x=7x-42](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/avzsae084dxw3a0rzbx3jxjmkr6cqfn8lz.png)
![-3x=-42](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/vzv527n94ts849md8b56mxd2zdt226a3f6.png)
![(-3x)/(-3)=(-42)/(-3)](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/jkxj00kgb1ekadr4xxqmgkg3qmynt2mebj.png)
![x=14](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/high-school/w8szokw3mm3uw2zkw2nagpmiouqp0k6o84.png)
So,
the smallest even number is 14........Answer