The sum of three consecutive even numbers is 48. What is the smallest of these numbers?

Since the numbers are three consecutive even number, they differ by 2.

Answer: If the sum of three consecutive even numbers is 48, the smallest of these numbers is 14.

Let us see how to find the three consecutive even numbers when the sum is given.

Explanation:

Suppose the first number of all three consecutive numbers is "a".

Therefore, the next two numbers will be (a + 2), and (a + 4). 

It is given that sum of all these three consecutive numbers is 48.

Hence, a + a + 2 + a + 4 = 48

3a + 6 = 48

3a = 48 - 6

3a = 42

a = 42/3 = 14

Therefore, a = 14, a + 2 = 16, and a + 4 = 18

Hence, the three consecutive even numbers are 14, 16, 18. The smallest of all these numbers is 14.