Question

sammys mother is 2 years more than 3 times as old as sammy. their combinied age is 42. how old are sammys mother and sammy

Answer 1

42= Combined age
x= Sammy's age
3x+2= Mom's age (she is two years more (+2) than three times Sammy's (3x)

Add their ages together to equal 42:
x+(3x+2)=42
4x+2= 42
Subtract 2 from both sides
4x= 40
Divide 4 from both sides
x= 10 Sammy's age

Substitute his age into his Mom's equation above
3x+2= 3(10)+2= 30+2= 32 Mom's age

Check:
Sammy's age + Mom's age = 42
10+32=42
42= 42

Hope this helps! :)

Answer 2

S = Sammy
M = Mom
3S + 2 = M
S + M = 42 Substitute 42 - S for M in the top equation

3S + 2 = 42 - S Add S to both sides.
4S + 2 = 42 Subtract 2 from both sides.
4S = 40 Divide by 4
S = 40/4
S = 10

Sammy is 10
His Mom must be 42