Question

Question 84

Solve the following:

The sum of three consecutive even natural numbers is 48. Find the greatest of these numbers.

Answer 1

Let the three consecutive even natural numbers be x, (x+2) and (x+4).
According to the equation,
x+(x+2)+(x+4)=48
$\Rightarrow 3x+6=48\Rightarrow 3x=48-6\Rightarrow 3x=42\Rightarrow x=\frac{42}{3}\therefore x=14$
Hence, the three consecutive even natural numbers are 14, (14+2) and (14+4), i.e. 14, 16 and 18.
Therefore, the greatest number is 18.