If n represents the smallest number, then the other two numbers will be (n + 1) and (n + 2)
Write an equation based on the problem
The smallest number and the other two numbers have a sum of 87. It could be written as follows.
n + (n + 1) + (n + 2) = 87
This is the equation
Find the value of n to find the smallest integer.
n + n + 1 + n + 2 = 87
add like terms, variable with variable, constant with constant
n + n + n + 1 + 2 = 87
3n + 3 = 87
solve for n
3n = 87 - 3
3n = 84
n = 84/3
n = 28
The smallest integer is 28
Find the other two integers
The middle number
n + 1 = 28 + 1 = 29
The biggest number
n + 2 = 28 + 2 = 30
The integers are 28, 29, 30