Seven children, each with the same birthday, were born in seven consecutive years. The sum of the ages of the youngest three children is 42. What is the sum of the ages of the oldest three?

Answer/Step-by-step explanation:

If x is the youngest age then x+1, x+2, etc are the ages of the older children.

The youngest three are x, x+1, x+2. Add them together: 3x+3=42; x+1=14 so x=13. The children's ages go from 13 to x+6=19. (13+14+15=42.) The three oldest are 17, 18, 19 sum=54, and these were the first three to be born.