Question

Make an algebraic equation to solve these word problems.

Martin is two years older than Reese, and the same age as Lee. If Lee is 12, how old is Reese?

Answer 1

x-2= Reese's age

Martin and Lee are the same age (12), and 2 years older than Reese. So, to know how old Reese is, you have to subtract 2 from the ages of Martin and Lee. Hence, the equation, 'x-2', because 'x' can be substituted with Martin or Lee's age.