Two consecutive even integers have a sun of 346. find the smaller of these two numbers.

346/2 = 173
173 + 173 = 346
but since they have to be consecutive and even,

172 + 174 = 346

smaller number is 172

Even integers are 2 apart
they aer x and x+2
the sum is 346
so
x+x+2=346
2x+2=346
minus 2 both sides
2x=344
divide both sides by 2
x=172
x+2=174
172<174
the smaller is 172