Final answer:
To find the sum of three consecutive odd numbers equaling 39, let x be the first odd number. The next two consecutive odd numbers are then x + 2 and x + 4. By adding these three numbers together and simplifying, we find that the first odd number is 11 and the sum is 39.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking for the sum of three consecutive odd numbers that equals 39.
Let's assume the first odd number is x.
The next two consecutive odd numbers would be x + 2 and x + 4.
To find the sum of these three numbers, we add them together:
x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 39.
Simplifying the equation, we get 3x + 6 = 39.
Then, by subtracting 6 from both sides of the equation, we have 3x = 33.
Finally, dividing both sides by 3 gives us x = 11.
Therefore, the three consecutive odd numbers that add up to 39 are 11, 13, and 15.