Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

The sum of four consecutive counting numbers is 154. Find the smallest number:

  1. 36

  2. 37

  3. 38

  4. 31

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Let the four consecutive numbers be x, x+1, x+2, x+3. Their sum is 4x + 6 = 154, so 4x = 148 and x = 37. Checking: 37 + 38 + 39 + 40 = 154. This confirms 37 is the smallest number.

AI explanation

To solve this problem, let's assign variables to the four consecutive counting numbers.

Let's say the smallest number is $x$.

The four consecutive counting numbers would then be $x, x+1, x+2, x+3$.

According to the problem, the sum of these four numbers is 154.

So we can write the equation:

$x + (x+1) + (x+2) + (x+3) = 154$

Now we can simplify the equation:

$4x + 6 = 154$

Subtracting 6 from both sides of the equation gives:

$4x = 148$

Dividing both sides of the equation by 4 gives:

$x = 37$

Therefore, the smallest number is 37.

The correct answer is option B.