Answer:
The smallest number is 88
Step-by-step explanation:
Let
x ----> the first consecutive even number
x+2 --->the second consecutive even number
we know that
The linear equation that represent this problem is given by
[tex]x+(x+2)=178[/tex]
solve for x
[tex]2x=178-2\\2x=176\\x=88[/tex]
so
[tex]x=88\\x+2=88+2=90[/tex]
therefore
The smallest number is 88
