Question

chris is 3 years older than jacob. Nathan is 18 years old. two years ago the sum of all their ages was 59 years old how old is jacob?

Answer 1

           Today          2 years ago

Chris:   x + 3            (x + 3) - 2   = x + 1

Nathan: 18               (18) - 2       = 16

Jacob:   x                (x) - 2          = x - 2

Chris + Nathan + Jacob = sum

x + 1  +     16     +   x - 2   = 59

                            2x - 15 = 59   added like terms (x and x) and (1, 16, and -2)

                                   2x = 74   added 15 to both sides

                                     x = 37    divided both sides by 2

Answer: Jacob is 37 yrs old