3 Consecutive Numbers...

Look familiar? The sum of three consecutive numbers is 36. What are the numbers?

Method 1) 

Guess. It is unlikely to be 1, 2 and 3...

...or 34, 35, and 36. 

Best strategy is to start with half of 36, which is 18. 

So try adding 16, 17 and 18. This gives us 51. Too big. 

Try adding 14, 15 and 16. This adds up to 45. 

Getting closer...

Eventually you will arrive at 11, 12 and 13. 

Method 2)

Algebra saves the day...

The first number is "x". The second number must be "x + 1" because it is 1 more than the first number. The third number is "x + 2". Put these together and you can make an algebraic formula...

x + x + 1 + x+2 = 36

3x + 3 = 36

3x -3 = 36 -3

3x = 33

x = 11

Your three numbers are 11, 12 and 13.