Let the smallest number equal n. Therefore, the other numbers are (n+2) and (n+4).
The sum of the three numbers are:
[tex]n + (n+2) + (n+4)[/tex]
[tex]=3n+6[/tex]
Since the sum equals 78,
[tex]3n+6=78[/tex]
Divide both sides by 3,
[tex]n+2=26[/tex]
[tex]n=24[/tex]
Therefore, the smallest number is 24.
