Question

The sum of 3 consecutive numbers is 162. What is the smallest of the 3

Answer 1

(x-1)+x+(x+1)=162
3x=162
x=54
(53, 54, 55)
53 is the lowest

Answer 2

In the question it is given that the sum of three consecutive numbers is 162.
Let us assume the first number as = x
Then the second consecutive number is = x + 1
The third consecutive number is = x + 2
Then
x + x+ 1 + x + 2 = 162
3x + 3 = 162
3(x + 1) = 162
x + 1 = 162/3
x + 1 = 54
x = 54 -1
= 53
So the smallest of the number is 53. I hope the procedure is clear to you and in future you can easily take care of such problems without the need for any outside help.