So they said that x = the smallest number of the three CONSECUTIVE EVEN numbers. So to visualise this, if the numbers were 2,4, and 6, then 2 would be x.
So to find out the two numbers after this, as they are consecutive EVEN numbers, you just add 2, right?
x, x + 2, x + 4
So the two other numbers are x + 2 and x + 4.
The second part of the question makes the sum of these numbers add up to 66.
So write that out
x + x + 2 + x + 4 = 66
Then simplify it to give you: 3x + 6 = 66
You get 3x from "x + x + x" and you get the 6 from "2 + 4"
Now you want to find x. But remember, whatever you do to one side, you MUST do it to the other side too.
3x + 6 = 66
Get rid of the 6.
3x + 6 - 6 = 66 - 6
= 3x = 60
Find x
3x ÷ 3 = 60 ÷ 3
= x = 20
So now that you found x, you can find the other two numbers from addition: x + 2, x + 4
So the first number is x, which is 20. The second number is 22 (x + 2), and the third number is 24 (x + 4).
Hope this helps!
