Question

Jayla, Keisha and Melanie are sisters. Keisha is 3 years older than Jayla. Melanie is 3 years older than Keisha. If you add their ages together, you get 42.

1. Write an equation or draw a picture to represent this scenario.
2. How old are the sisters? How do you know?

Answer 1

jayla= x
keisha= x+ 3
melanie= x + 6

to solve:
42= x + x + 3 + x + 6
42= 3x + 9
-9 -9
33=3x
———-
3

x=11

therefore
jayla is 11
keisha is 14
melanie is 17