To find the sum of three consecutive numbers, we can use the formula:
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In this case, we are given that the sum of the three consecutive numbers is 27, so we have:
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Simplifying, we have:
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Multiplying both sides by 2:
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Dividing both sides by 3:
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Since the numbers are consecutive, we can express the first number in terms of the last number as follows:
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Substituting this expression into the equation above, we get:
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Simplifying:
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Adding 2 to both sides:
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Dividing both sides by 2:
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Therefore, the greatest number is 10.