Question

Marion is 3 years more than 5 times as old as Pam. If p represents Pam ‘s age . Which expression represents Marion’ s age?

Answer 1

Let p equal Pam's age, and , equal Marion's age. If Marion is 3 years MORE than 5 times Pam's age, that means that:

m = (5p) + 3

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Explanation:

Read the phrases a little at a time.

Let Pam's age = p

Deal with the 5 times as old as Pam first

5p

Now add 3 onto that.

Marion = 5p + 3

Why can't you start with the 3? You could, but the sentence is constructed in such a way that it is easier to read 5p before 3.

The key step is read and do little steps at a time. People get into trouble because they try and grasp the whole thing at once. That way of dealing with things is for English Literature.

Break the literature habit. Use little steps.