Question: I would like to be able to use the enumerate command, but I want to begin my numbers at a number other than one. I would also like to be able to increment my numbers however I want to. 

Example:

9.

10.

12.

18.

Is there a way to do this? Thanks so much in advance.

Answer: 
You can define a command that sets the next value:

```latex
\documentclass{article}

\makeatletter
\newcommand{\nextnumber}[1]{%
  \setcounter{\@enumctr}{\numexpr#1-1}%
}
\makeatother

\begin{document}

\begin{enumerate}
\nextnumber{9}
\item This is text
\item This is text
\nextnumber{12}
\item This is text
\nextnumber{18}
\item This is text
  \begin{enumerate}
  \nextnumber{3}
  \item This is text
  \nextnumber{9}
  \item This is text
  \end{enumerate}
\nextnumber{24}
\item This is text
\end{enumerate}

\end{document}

```

[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/RnFPb.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/RnFPb.png)
The simplest way is writing desired item number by hand:

```
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{enumerate}

%---------------- show page layout. don't use in a real document!
\usepackage{showframe}
\renewcommand\ShowFrameLinethickness{0.15pt}
\renewcommand*\ShowFrameColor{\color{red}}
%---------------------------------------------------------------%

\begin{document}
    \begin{enumerate}
\item[9.]
\item[10.]
\item[12.]
\item[18.]
    \end{enumerate}
\end{document}

```