"Cary is 8 years older than Dan. In 5 years the sum of their ages wil equal 96. Find both their ages now. Solve using equations."
x = Dan's age now
x + 8 = Cary's age now {Cary is 8 yrs older than Dan}
x + 5 = Dan's age in 5 years
x + 13 = Cary's age in 5 years
x + 5 + x + 13 = 96 {in five years the sum of their ages will be 96}
2x + 18 = 96 {combined like terms}
2x = 78 {subtracted 18 from both sides}
x = 39 {divided both sides by 39}
x + 8 = 47 {substituted 39, in for x, into x + 8}
Dan is 39 years old
Cary is 47 years old