Answer:
52
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x represent the smallest of the three numbers. Then the other two are (x+2) and (x+4). Their sum is ...
x + (x+2) +(x+4) = 162
3x = 156 . . . . . . . . . . . .subtract 6
x = 156/3 = 52
The smallest of the three numbers is 52.
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I like to work problems like this by considering the average number. Here, the average of the three numbers is 162/3 = 54, the middle number of the three. Then the smallest of the three consecutive even numbers is 2 less, or 52.
