Question

Laura's age (L) is 4 less than Emma's age (E), and Toshio's age (T) is 3 less than twice Emma's. The sum of their ages is 53. Write and solve an equation to determine the three ages.

Please help! Can someone explain how to do this and what the answer is?

Answer 1

L + E + T = 53...the sum of their ages is 53
L = E - 4 ...Laura's age is 4 less then Emma's age
T = 2E - 3...Toshio's age is 3 less then twice Emma's age

now we sub the last 2 equations into the first one...
(E - 4) + E + (2E - 3) = 53 ...combine like terms
4E - 7 = 53...add 7 to both sides
4E = 53 + 7...simplify
4E = 60 ...divide by 4
E = 60/4
E = 15 <=== Emma is 15

L = E - 4
L = 15 - 4
L = 11 <=== Laura is 11

T = 2E - 3
T = 2(15) - 3
T = 30 - 3
T = 27 <=== Toshio is 27