SOLUTION: The sum of three consecutive odd numbers is 69. What is the smallest of these numbers?

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Question 709248: The sum of three consecutive odd numbers is 69. What is the smallest of these numbers?
Answer by Stitch(470) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Equation 1: B+=+A+%2B+2
Equation 2: C+=+A+%2B+4
Equation 3: A+%2B+B+%2B+C+=+69
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Note that B & C are written in terms of A. Substitute their values into equation 3.
Equation 3: A+%2B+B+%2B+C+=+69
A+%2B+%28A+%2B+2%29+%2B+%28A+%2B+4%29+=+69
Combine like terms
3A+%2B+6+=+69
Subtract 6 from both sides
3A+=+63
Divide both sides by 3
highlight%28A+=+21%29
Now plug 21 into equations 1 & 2 for A.
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Equation 1: B+=+A+%2B+2
B+=+%2821%29+%2B+2
highlight_green%28B+=+23%29
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Equation 2: C+=+A+%2B+4
C+=+%2821%29+%2B+4
highlight%28C+=+25%29
The smallest number is 21.