Answer:
Tommy is 4 years old and Jim is 14.
Explanation:
1. Information given to us to answer the question correctly:
Age of Tommy = x
Age of Jim = 3x + 2 (2 years older than 3 times his little brother Tommy)
Together = add up to 18
2. How old is each?
x + 3x + 2 = 18
4x = 18 - 2 (subtracting 2 at both sides)
4x = 16
x = 16/4 = 4
x = 4 ⇒ 3x + 2 = 14
Tommy is 4 years old and Jim is 14.