<PRE><B>Question 940853</B>
A=smallest number, A+1=first consecutive, A+2=second consecutive
Sum of three consecutive numbers is 81
A+(A+1)+(A+2)=81
3A+3=81
3A+3-3=81-3  Subtract 3 from each side
3A=78
3A/3=78/3   Divide each side by 3
A=26 ANSWER Smallest of three numbers=26
CHECK:
Sum of three consecutive numbers is 81
26+27+28=81
81=81</PRE>