Answer:
] The three consecutive even numbers are 38, 40 and 42. The smallest of the three is clearly 38. Step-by-step explanation:Even numbers are of the form [math]2k[/math], [math] k \in \mathbb{Z}[/math]. Three consecutive even numbers are of the form [math]2k[/math], [math]2(k+1)[/math], [math]2(k+2)[/math]. We have that their sum is 120 therefore [math]\\2k + 2(k+1) + 2(k+2) = 120 \Leftrightarrow k+(k+1)+(k+2) = 60 \Leftrightarrow 3(k+1) = 60 \\ \Leftrightarrow k+1=20 \Leftrightarrow \boxed{k=19}.[/math