x+y+z=1086 y=x+1 z=x+2 x+(x+1)+(x+2)=1086 combine like terms 3x+3=1086 subtract 3 from both sides to isolate x 3x=1083 divide both sides by 3 x=361 now you know that the first of the three consecutive numbers is 361. so your next 2 numbers are 362 and 363. 361+362+363=1086