Question

the average of 7 consecutive even numbers is 42. what is the smallest number?
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Answer 1

let 'x' be the first number 

     'x+2' be the 2nd

    'x+4' be the 3rd

    'x+6' be the 4th

    'x+8' be the 5th

    'x+10' be the 6th

    'x+12' be the 7th

you'll have the equation as:

\frac{x+x+2+x+4+x+6+x+8+x+10+x+12}{7} =427x+x+2+x+4+x+6+x+8+x+10+x+12=42

\frac{7x+42}{7} = 4277x+42=42

7x + 42 = 42(7)7x+42=42(7)

7x + 42 = 2947x+42=294

7x = 2527x=252

x = 36x=36

since you are looking for the smallest number and based on variable representation x is the smallest number

therefore the smallest number is 36

Answer 2

the average of 7 consecutive even numbers is 42. What is the smallest number?

1. smallest even number = x

2. next even number = x+2

3. next even number = x+4

4. next even number = x+6

5. next even number = x+8

6. next even number = x+10

7. last even number = x+12

--------------------------------

sum = 7x+42

Average = sum%2F7 = %287x%2B42%29%2F7 = 7x%2F7%2B42%2F7 = x+6 = 42

x = 36

Answer: 36

Checking:

%2836%2B38%2B40%2B42%2B44%2B46%2B48%29%2F7 = 294%2F7 = 42