Let the smallest number = x
The next higher number would be x +1
The 3rd number would be x +2
The sum of the 3 numbers: x + x+1 + x+2
33 more than the smallest number is written as x+33
Now you have:
x + x+1 + x+2 = x+33
Simplify the left side:
3x +3 = x +33
Subtract 3 from each side:
3x = x +30
Subtract 1x from each side:
2x = 30
Divide both sides by 2:
X = 30/2
x = 15
The three numbers are 15, 16 and 17
