Question

Can someone help me solve this problem​

Answer 1

The answer is 18 and 4

Answer 2

18 and 40

Explanation:

Let x be the age of Claire and y the age of her mother

Claire's mother is 4 years more than twice Claire's age

• y = 2x+4

The sum of their ages are is 58

• x+y = 58

the system is:

`\left \{ {{y=2x-4} \atop {y+x=58}} \right.`

Multiply (y+x = 58) by -1 and then add it to (y = 2x+4) to eliminate y

• -y-x = -58
• -y-x+y = 2x+4-58
• -x -2x = -54
• -3x = -54
• x = 54/3
• x = 18

y= 58-18 = 40

so claire's mother is 40 years old and claire is 18