Question 323819
The traditional way to solve this problem is to say,


Let x= first number
x+1= second number
x+2= third number


The equation is 
x+x+1+x+2= 15000
3x+3=15000
3x=14997
x=4999


x+1=5000


x+2=5001


HOWEVER, the non-traditional way to solve this is to recognize that if the sum of three consecutive numbers is 15,000, the AVERAGE of the numbers is 5,000.  The other two numbers are on either side of this:  4999, 5000, and 5001.  


Dr. Robert J. Rapalje, Retired
Seminole State College