Question

The sum of three consecutive numbers is 72. What is the largest of these numbers?

A) 23
B) 25
C) 26
D) 28

Answer 1

The largest of the three consecutive numbers that add up to 72 is found by setting up and solving an algebraic equation. The solution to the equation shows that the largest number is 25.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks for the largest of these numbers in a series of three consecutive numbers that add up to 72. To find the consecutive numbers, we can set up an equation where x is the smallest number, x + 1 is the middle number, and x + 2 is the largest number. The sum of these numbers is equal to 72, which gives us the equation x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 72.

• Simplify the equation: 3x + 3 = 72.
• Subtract 3 from both sides: 3x = 69.
• Divide both sides by 3: x = 23.
• Find the largest number: x + 2 = 23 + 2 = 25.

Hence, the largest of these numbers is 25.