X - Ollie's age
8 is subtracted from Ollie's age = x-8
the result is the same as
subtracting 16 from 3 times his age = 3x-16
Ollie is 4 years old.
The answer is 6(x^2 -1) I have provided a picture with my work and the answer
The answer is b because if you look there is no Direct variation
Cramer's rule works as follows:
x+3y=16
3x+y=8
Then
x=Dx/D
y=Dy/D
where Dx,Dy,D are 2x2 matrices formed from of coefficients and right hand side.
D=
1 3
3 1
=1-9=-8
Dx=matrix D with first column replaced by the vector [16,8]=
16,3
8 1
=16-24
=-8
Dy=matrix D with second column replaced by the vector [16,8]=
1 16
3 8
=8-48
=-40
Therefore
x=-8/-8=1
y=--40/-8=5
Check:
x+3y=1+3(5)=16
3x+y=3(1)+5=8 ok.
