maths question - consecutive numbers

[wizard]

I was wondering if there was a quick way to answer the consecutive number questions or is it simply trial and error, choosing numbers and seeing what fits?

eg The sum of 3 numbers is 21. what is the smallest of these numbers?

Thanks

[hermanmunster]

if they are consecutive numbers then best to divide the total ie 21 by 3 to get 7, the consecutive numbers will be 7-1, 7 and 7+1
- middle number will be 7 smallest will be 6 and largest will be 8

[harrow123]

if they are consecutive numbers then best to divide the total ie 21 by 3 to get 7, the consecutive numbers will be 7-1, 7 and 7+1
- middle number will be 7 smallest will be 6 and largest will be 8

WOW

[R3ad1ngDad]

same for adding all the numbers between 0 and 100 - just need to realise there are 101 numbers with an average of 50

[Optimist]

I was wondering if there was a quick way to answer the consecutive number questions or is it simply trial and error, choosing numbers and seeing what fits?

eg The sum of 3 numbers is 21. what is the smallest of these numbers?

Thanks

Out of curiousity what age range is this question aimed at: Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 or Year 6?

[yoyo123]

they are typical 11+ questions, so 5/6