Benjamin counts 17 + 20 + 23 = <<17+20+23=60>>60 billboards total on the way to Los Angeles.

Benjamin saw those billboards over 3 hours, so the average number of billboards per hour they saw 60 / 3 = <<60/3=20>>20 billboards per hour.

# Answer

20
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
On their way driving to Los Angeles, Benjamin and James see lots of billboard ads. Curious, Benjamin starts to count how many they see. In the first hour once he starts counting he counts 17 billboards. In the second hour once he starts counting he sees 20 billboards. In the third hour he sees 23 billboards. James asks Benjamin the average number of billboards they've seen per hour. What should Benjamin tell him?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
20
On their way driving to Los Angeles, Benjamin and James see lots of billboard ads. Curious, Benjamin starts to count how many they see. In the first hour once he starts counting he counts 17 billboards. In the second hour once he starts counting he sees 20 billboards. In the third hour he sees 23 billboards. James asks Benjamin the average number of billboards they've seen per hour. What should Benjamin tell him?
train