Question

John is 6 years older than Kathy. Together their ages equal four times Kathys age. How old is each?

Answer 1

John is 6 years older the k or Kathy so k+6
together their ages equal four times Kathy's age 
so k+6+k=4k 2k+6=4k 6=2k 2k=6 k=3

so john is 9 by 6+3 
And Kathy is 3 k=3

Answer 2

Kathy=k
John=k+6

''Together their ages equal four times Kathys age.''
→k+6+k=4k  ; 2k+6=4k  ; 2k=6  ;k=3

Kathy=3
John=3+6=9