Step 1: Set up:
Let the three consecutive even numbers be \(x,\ x+2,\ x+4\).
Step 2: Condition:
Thrice the first exceeds double the third by 2: \(3x = 2(x+4) + 2\).
Step 3: Solve:
\(3x = 2x + 10 \Rightarrow x = 10\). The numbers are 10, 12, 14.
Step 4: Check:
\(3 \times 10 = 30\) and \(2 \times 14 = 28\); \(30 - 28 = 2\). Correct.
Final Answer:
The third number is 14, so the correct option is (3): 14.