Answer:
25
Step-by-step explanation:
We have 3 consecutive integers. Let's call the first one n.
The other two will then have the values of n+1 and n+2:
First number: n
Second number: n+1
Third number: n+2
Let's write the expression for the sum of these 3:
[tex]n + (n + 1) + (n + 2)[/tex]
[tex]3n + 1 + 2\\[/tex]
[tex]3n + 3[/tex]
The sum, 3n+3, is equal to 78:
[tex]3n+3 = 78[/tex]
Subtracting 3 from both sides:
[tex]3n = 75[/tex]
Dividing both sides by 3:
[tex]n = 25[/tex]
Now, let's find the values of our 3 numbers:
First number, n
n = 25, so our first number is 25.
Second number, n+1
n + 1 = 25 + 1 = 26, second number is 26
Third number, n+2
n + 2 = 25 + 2 = 27, third number is 27
Our 3 numbers are 25, 26, 27. The one closest to 0 is the smallest one, or 25.
Answer: 25
