The 5th of 9 consecutive whole numbers whose sum is 153 is?

We can start this problem by finding out what the lowest consecutive number's value is (x). Since consecutive numbers are numbers that are 1 apart from each other, the sum of 9 consecutive numbers would look like

x + (x+1) + (x+2) + (x+3) + (x+4) + (x+5) + (x+6) + (x+7) + (x+8)

Since we know that they equal 153,

x + (x+1) + (x+2) + (x+3) + (x+4) + (x+5) + (x+6) + (x+7) + (x+8) = 153

Now we combine like terms

9x + 36 = 153

Simplify

9x = 117

x = 13

Now, we need to find what the 5th consecutive number is equal to. The fifth consecutive number is (x+4), so 13 + 4 is 17, meaning that the 5th of 9 consecutive numbers that add up to 153 is 17.

Start by calling the first whole number n. Then the next whole number after that is n + 1, the one after that is n + 2, etc. The nine consecutive whole numbers add up to 153, so

n + (n + 1) + (n + 2) + (n + 3) + (n + 4) + (n + 5) + (n + 6) + (n + 7) + (n + 8) = 153

Combine like terms and simplify.

9n + 36 = 153

9n = 117

n = 13 The first number is 13.

The 5th number, n + 4, has the value 13 + 4 = 17.