Question

Esmerelda is five times as old as Ruth. Four years ago, the sum of their ages was 22 years. How old is each now?

Answer 1

Ruth is x+4=7/3+4, esmerelda is 5x+4=35/3+4

Explanation:

if Ruth is x, esmerelda is 5x,

four years ago,

Ruth is x+4, esmerelda is 5x+4, depend on the sum, we get:

x+4+5x+4=22, x=7/3

so:

Ruth is x+4=7/3+4, esmerelda is 5x+4=35/3+4