224 = x + y can be rewritten as x=224-y
2520 = 12x +8y
substitute top equation into second equation for x
2520 = 12(224-y) + 8y
2520 = 2688-12y+8y
2520 =2688-4y
subtract 2688 from both sides
-168 = -4y
dive both sides by -4
y = -168/-4 = 42
x = 224-42 = 182
182 x 12 = 2184, 42 x 8 =336, 2184 + 336 = 2520
and 182 + 42 = 244
since y was the 18 and younger y = 42