The sum of three consecutive even numbers is 54. what is the smallest of these numbers?

1st = x

2nd = x+2

3rd = x+4

x + (x+2) + (x+4) = 54

combine like terms

3x+6 = 54

subtract 6 from each side

3x = 48

divide by 3 on each side

x = 16

the three numbers are 16, 16+2, 16+4

the three numbers are 16, 18, 20

The smallest number is 16