Question

Elvira is 5 years older than Morton. Morton is twice as old as Michelle. The combined total of their ages is 85. How old is Morton?

Answer 1

Elvira (e) is 5 years older than Morton (m)

e = m + 5

Morton (m) is twice as old as Michelle (c)

m = 2c

The combined total of their ages is 85

e + m + c = 85

We want m at the end so let's write everything in terms of m.

e = m + 5

c = m/2

85 = e + m + c = m+5 + m + m/2 = 5 + (5/2) m

m = (2/5) (85 - 5) = 32

Answer: 32 years old

Check:

That makes Elvira 37 and Michele 16, total 32+37+16=85, good

Answer 2

Answer:-  Elvira is 37, Morton is 32 and Michelle is 16 years old.

Create some  equations:-

Let Elvira's age be e , Morton's m years and Michelle's age = n years.

e + m + n = 85........... (1)

e - m = 5......................(2)

n = m/2

Substitute for n in the equation (1)

e + (3/2)m     = 85........... (3)

Subtract equation (2) from equation 3:-

5/2 m = 80

m =  32

So e = m +5 = 37

and n = 32/2 = 16