Question

Theresa has two brothers,Paul and Steve, who are both the same height. Paul says he is 16 inches shorter than 1 1/2 times Theresa's height. Steve says he's 6 inches shorter than 1 1/3 times Theresa's height. If they're both right, how tall is Theresa ?

Answer 1

Let
x----------> Paul and Steve heights
y----------> Theresa height

we know that
1 1/2-------> 3/2---> 1.5
1 1/3-------> 4/3----> 1.33
Paul says he is 16 inches shorter than 1 1/2 times Theresa's height
x=1.5y-16-------> equation 1

Steve says he's 6 inches shorter than 1 1/3 times Theresa's height
x=1.33y-6------> equation 2

equals 1 and 2
1.5y-16=1.33y-6
1.5y-1.33y=-6+16
0.17y=10----------> y=58.82 in

x=1.5y-16------> 1.5*(58.82)-16------> x=72.24 in

the answer is
Theresa is 58.82 in tall