Question

Willis is older than Heard. The difference of their ages is 12 and the sum of their ages is 50. Find the age of each.

Answer 1

Let:

x = Willis Age

y = Heard Age

The difference of their ages is 12 and the sum of their ages is 50, so, let:

`\begin{gathered} x-y=12_{\text{ }}(1) \\ x+y=50_{\text{ }}(2) \end{gathered}`

Using elimination method:

`\begin{gathered} (1)+(2) \\ x+x-y+y=12+50 \\ 2x=62 \\ \text{Divide both sides by 2:} \\ (2x)/(2)=(62)/(2) \\ x=31 \end{gathered}`

Replace the value of x into (1):

`\begin{gathered} 31-y=12 \\ y=31-12 \\ y=19 \end{gathered}`

Willis is 31 and Heard is 19