Question

Jack was 13 years older than Priscilla. together their ages totaled 163 years . What were their ages?

Answer 1

Jack is 88, Priscilla is 75.

Explanation:

Let J represent Jack's age and let P represent Priscilla's age.

Their age totaled 163, so:

`J+P=163`

And we know that Jack was 13 years older than Priscilla. In other words:

`J=13+P`

Solve for J and P. To do so, substitute the second equation into the first:

`13+P+P=163`

Combine like terms:

`2P+13=163`

Subtract 13 from both sides:

`2P=150`

Divide 2 from both sides:

`P=75`

So, Priscilla is 75 years old right now.

Jack is 13 years older meaning that Jack is 88 years right now.

And we're done!