Consider six even numbers in a row. If the sum of the second and the sixth numbers equals 24, what is the value of the fourth number?

Explanation

Let the six consecutive even numbers be represented as x, x + 2, x + 4, x + 6, x + 8, and x + 10. According to the problem, the sum of the second and sixth numbers is (x + 2) + (x + 10) = 24. Simplifying, 2x + 12 = 24, which gives x = 6. Therefore, the fourth number is x + 6 = 6 + 6 = 12.