Question

Janes age is 5 years less than 3 times her brothers age. Janes age is 11 minus her brothers age. How old is Jane?

Answer 1

You did not specify the brother's age, so I make a expression, b as the variable.

(3b + 5) - 11

Now do that with the brother age instead of the variable.

Answer 2

(3b + 5) - 11 = 3

you first add 3 and 5 which equals 8 ten you subtract 11 and 8 which equals 3, so jane is 3 years old