Question

The sum of three consecutive even numbers is 42. What is the second smallest of these numbers?

Answer 1

The second smallest of three consecutive even numbers whose sum is 42 is found to be 14 by setting up an equation and solving for the smallest number first.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the second smallest of three consecutive even numbers whose sum is 42, we can set up a simple equation. Let the smallest number be x, the second number will then be x + 2, and the largest number will be x + 4. The equation based on the given sum is:

x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 42.

Simplifying the equation, we get:

3x + 6 = 42

Subtract 6 from both sides:

3x = 36

Then divide by 3:

x = 12

Therefore, the second smallest number is:

x + 2 = 14.

The second smallest of these three consecutive even numbers is 14.