Question

Jim is 9 years older than June. Alex is 8 years younger than June. If the total of

their ages is 82, how old is the eldest of them?

Answer 1

36 years old (jim)

Explanation:

looks like a good ol' word problem!

first, if you don't know what to do, always assign variables

Jim's age: x+9

June's age: x

Alex's age: x-8

we know the sum of their ages which is 82

so, x+9+x+x-8=82

simplify

3x+1=82

3x=81

x=27, but we're not done yet

Now we know x

jim: 36

june: 27

Alex: 21

so the oldest is jim at 36