Question

if the average of four consecutive odd numbers is 12, find the smallest of these numbers?

Answer 1

let four consecutive numbers be

x,x+2,x+4,x+6

(4x+12)/4=12

4x+12 =12×4

4x =48-12

x =36÷4

x =9

Answer 2

Answer: The required smallest odd number is 9.

Step-by-step explanation:  Given that the average of four consecutive odd numbers is 12.

We are to find the smallest odd number.

Let the smallest odd number be represented by x.

Then, the other three consecutive odd number are x+2, x+4 and x+6.

According to the given information, we get

$\dfrac{x+x+2+x+4+x+6}{4}=12\\\\\Rightarrow 4x+12=4\times12\\\\\Rightarrow 4x+12=48\\\\\Rightarrow 4x=48-12\\\\\Rightarrow 4x=36\\\\\Rightarrow x=\dfrac{36}{4}\\\\\Rightarrow x=9.$

Thus, the required smallest odd number is 9.