Question

Huilan is 8 years younger than Thomas. The sum of their ages is 76. What is Thomas's age?

Answer 1

Let H denote the age of Hullan.

Let T denote the age of Thomas.

Huilan is 8 years younger than Thomas

Mathematically,

`H=T-8\qquad eq.1`

The sum of their ages is 76.

Mathematically,

`H+T=76\qquad eq.2`

Now let us substitute eq. 1 into eq. 2

`\begin{gathered} H+T=76 \\ (T-8)+T=76 \\ T-8+T=76 \\ 2T-8=76 \\ 2T=76+8 \\ 2T=84 \\ T=(84)/(2) \\ T=42 \end{gathered}`

Therefore, the age of Thomas is 42 years.