Question

Sarah is 13 years older than Mike. The sum of their ages is 37. How old is Sarah and how old is Mike? (awnsered in an ordered pair) (can slove it by eliminating, substituting.)

Answer 1

Let's define the next variables:

x: Sarah's age

y: Mike's age

Sarah is 13 years older than Mike, then:

x = 13 + y

The sum of their ages is 37, then

x + y = 37

Substituting the first equation into the second one, we get:

(13 + y) + y = 37

13 + (y + y) = 37

13 + 2y = 37

2y = 37 - 13

2y = 24

y = 24/2

y = 12

Replacing this result into the first equation:

x = 13 + 12

x = 25

Sarah is 25 years old and Mike is 12 years old