Question

Bill is 15 years older than Paul. Paul is 7 years older than half Milo's age. The sum of all three ages is 85. How old is Bill?

Answer 1

Bill is 36

Explanation:

Bill, Paul, and Milo are represented as b, p, m

b = 15+p; p = 1/2m + 7; b + p + m = 85

b = 36, m = 28, p = 21

Therefore Bill is 36 y/o

Answer 2

Explanation:

Let Milo's age = x

`Paul's \ age =(1)/(2)x+7\\\\\\Bill's \ age = (1)/(2)x + 7 +15 =(1)/(2)x+22`

Sum of all three ages = 85

`x +(1)/(2)x+7 +(1)/(2)x+22 = 85\\x +(1)/(2)x+(1)/(2)x+7+22 =85\\2x+29=85\\ 2x = 85-29\\\\ 2x = 56\\\\ x = (56)/(2)\\\\x =28 \ years\\\\\\Bill's \ age =(1)/(2)x+22 =(1)/(2)*28+22\\\\\\= 14+22\\`

Bill's age = 36 years