4) The sum of three consecutive odd numbers Is 141.
What is the smallest of the three numbers ?

45

Explanation:
When finding the equations for the numbers, remember that it is not three consecutive numbers: it is three CONSECUTIVE ODD numbers. Thus:

First number = x
Second number = x + 2
Third number = x + 4 (second number + 2)

x + x + 2 + x + 4 = 141
3x + 6 = 141
3x = 135
x = 45

This tells us that the smallest number (x) is 45. To check our answer, we can plug this value in for x:

45 + 45 + 2 + 45 + 4 = 141
141 = 141

This also tells us that the other two numbers would be 47 and 49, and 45 + 47 + 49 also equals 141.

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