Question

Question #8f02c

Answer 1

The three consecutive even numbers adding to 78 are: 24, 26 and 28

Explanation:

Let's call the first number we are looking for `x`.

Then because these are consecutive even numbers we need to add `2` and `4` to `x` to get the second and third even numbers or `x + 2` and `x + 4`.

We know these three numbers when added equal 78 so we can write and solve for `x`:

`x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 78`

`x + x + 2 + x + 4 = 78`

`x + x + x + 2 + 4 = 78`

`3x + 6 = 78`

`3x + 6 - 6 = 78 - 6`

`3x + 0 = 72`

`3x = 72`

`(3x)/3 = 72/3`

`(cancel(3)x)/cancel(3) = 24`

`x = 24`

Then adding `2` and `4` to this gives:

24, 26 and 28