Question

The sum of three consecutive odd numbers is -21, how do you find the smallest number?

Answer 1

Let the numbers be x, x+1 and x+2.

According to question

$x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = - 21$

$3x + 3 = - 21$

$3x = - 24$

$x = - 8$

The smallest numbers would be x= -8.