If two consecutive even numbers are added, the sum is equal to 226. What is the smaller of the two n

If two consecutive even numbers are added, the sum is equal to 226. What is the smaller of the two numbers?

Let the smaller number be n.
The next consecutive even number is n + 2.

Add them together to equal 226:
n + n + 2 = 226

Solve for n in the equation n + n + 2 = 226

Step 1: Group the n terms on the left hand side:
(1 + 1)n = 2n

Step 2: Form modified equation
2n + 2 = + 226

Step 3: Group constants:
We need to group our constants 2 and 226. To do that, we subtract 2 from both sides
2n + 2 - 2 = 226 - 2

Step 4: Cancel 2 on the left side:
2n = 224

Step 5: Divide each side of the equation by 2
2n/2 = 224/2

n = 112

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