Three consecutive odd numbers have a sum less than 40. What is the largest possible value of the smallest of them?

Explanation

1. 01

   With the numbers $x$, $x + 2$, $x + 4$: $3x + 6 < 40$, so $x < \frac{34}{3} \approx 11.3$.

2. 02

   The largest odd number below 11.3 is 11: $11 + 13 + 15 = 39$.