Question

The sum of Molly and Bobby’s ages is 14. If Molly is 5 years older than twice Bobby’s age, how old is each child?

Answer 1

Molly is 11 and Bobby is 3.

Explanation:

Let Molly's age be m and Bobby's age be b.

`m+b=14`

Subtract b from both sides:

`m=14-b` (Equation 1)

`m=5+2b` (Equation 2)

`14-b=5+2b` (Both equations are equal to each other as they are equal to m)

Subtract 14 from both sides:

`14-b-14=5+2b-14`

`-b=2b-9`

Subtract 2b from both sides:

`-3b=-9`

Divide both sides by -3:

`(-3b)/(-3)=(-9)/(-3)`

`b=3`

Since
`m+b=14`,
`m=11`.