Question

Four brothers have ages that are consecutive even integers. From youngest to oldest, their names are Matt, Pat, Dave, and Dan. If Dan's age is 36 years less than twice Pat's age, then what are the ages of all four brothers?

Answer 1

Matt = 38, Pat = 40, Dave = 42, Dan = 44

Explanation:

Say Matt is x. We already know that Dan's age is 36 less than twice Pat's age so it is written like 2(x + 2) - 36 = x + 6

Simplify to 2x + 4 - 36 = x + 6

Simplify more to x = 38

That means Matt is 38 years old. Since they are consecutive even numbers, then Pat's age is 40, Dave's age is 42, and Dan's age is 44.

Answer 2

Matt - 38, Pat - 40, Dave - 42 and Dan - 44

Explanation:

Lets take Matt's age as x, Pat's age as x + 2, Dave's age as x + 4 and Dan's age as x + 6.

Given, Dan's age is 36 years less than twice Pat's age

Equation:

x+6 = 2(x+2) - 36

= x+6 = 2x + 4 - 36

= x+6 = 2x - 32

= 6+32 = 2x - x

= x = 38

Matt - x = 38

Pat - x+2 = 40

Dave - x+4 = 42

Dan - x+6 = 44