The sum of three consecutive even numbers is 48. What is the smallest of these numbers?

Answer: The numbers are 14, 16 and 18.

Step-by-step explanation: First thing to note is that consecutive even numbers have a difference of 2 units between every two terms. That is, if the first number is a, the next would be a + 2, and the next would be a + 4, and so on.

Therefore the three consecutive even numbers shall be a, a + 2, and a + 4.

Our equation now becomes;

a + a + 2 + a + 4 = 48

3a + 6 = 48

Subtract 6 from both sides of the equation

3a = 42

Divide both sides of the equation by 3

a = 14

Therefore, the numbers are 14, 16 and 18.

The smallest number is 14