Sum of three consecutive even integers is 54. Find the least integer among them.

$$\eqalign{ & x + \left( {x + 2} \right) + \left( {x + 4} \right) = 54 \cr & 3x + 6 = 54 \cr & 3x = 48 \cr & x = 16 \cr & \cr & {\bf{Alternate: }} \cr & {\text{Middle number = }}\frac{{54}}{3} = 18 \cr & {\text{then number is 16,18,20}} \cr & {\text{Smallest number is 16}} \cr} $$