Question

Two boys' ages total 24. Four less than six times the younger boy's age equals five more than three times the older boy's age. What their ages?

Answer 1

Hey there!

Let x be boy 1's age, and y be boy 2's age (younger).

Firstly, we know that x+y=24

6y-4=3x+5 <== we have this right here. (using the rules given by the question)

We can use all the equations to help find the answer.

x+y=24

x+y (-y)= 24(-y)

x=24-y

Plug that into x in the equation we made above.

6y-4= 3(24-y)+5

6y-4= 72-3y+5

Add 4 to each side.

6y= 81 -3y

9y=81

y=9

We know the younger boys age is 9.

We can plug that in to find the older one's age.

x+9= 24

x= 15

The boy's ages are 9 and 15.

I hope this helps!

~kaikers