Question

THIS IS A 3-STEP QUESTION PLEASE ASWER ACCORDINGLY! THANKS !!!

3 sisters are each 2 years apart in age. The youngest sister is Emily, the middle sister is Samantha and the oldest sister is Lauren. Together their combined ages are 42. How old is each sister?

a. Define the variable(s).
b. Write an equation for this situation using one variable.
c. Solve the equation for the ages of the 3 sisters.

Answer 1

a.
Let x = age of Samantha.
Then x - 2 = age of Emily,
and x + 2 = age of Lauren.

b.
x - 2 + x + x + 2 = 42

c.
x - 2 + x + x + 2 = 42

3x = 42

x = 14

x - 2 = 14 - 2 = 12

x + 2 = 14 + 2 = 16

The ages of the sisters are 12, 14, 16.