algebra

suppose that the smaller of the odd numbers is x then the consecutive odds are x+2 and x+4 now sum= 159 x+x+2+x+4 = 159 x= 51

Let $a =$ Smallest in series

Sum of three consecutive odd numbers is

$a + (a + 2) + (a + 4) = 159$

So that means that

$3a + 6 = 159$

The simplifies down to

$a = 51$

So the answer is $51$