SOLUTION: If Leah is 6 years older than sue and john is 5 years older than Leah and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is sue? please show me how to set up the equation for this

Question 234636: If Leah is 6 years older than sue and john is 5 years older than Leah and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is sue?
please show me how to set up the equation for this
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, Stitch:
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If Leah is 6 years older than sue and john is 5 years older than Leah and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is sue?
------------------------------
Equations:
L + S + J = 41
S = L - 6
J = L + 5
--------------------
Substitute and solve for "L"
L + (L-6) + (L+5) = 41
3L = 42
L = 14 (Leah's age)
S = L-6 = 8 (Sue's age)
J = L+5 = 19 (John's age)
==============================
Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by Stitch(470) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Leah's age = A
Sue's age = B
John age = C
Equation 1:
Leah is 6 years older than so, that gives us equation 2.
Equation 2:
John is 5 years older than Leah, that gives us equation 3.

You can rewrite John's age in terms of Sue.
C = A + 5 & A = B + 6
There fore C = B + 6 + 5
Substitute the new value for C into equation 1.
A + B + C = 41
Then substitute equation 2 in for A in equation 1.
A = B + 6
Combine like terms
Substract 17 from both sides
Divide both sides by 3

Sue is 8
RELATED QUESTIONS
If Leah is 6 years older than Sue,and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of... (answered by jojo14344)
If leah is 6 years older than sue, and jhon is 5 years older than leah and the total of... (answered by solver91311)
If Lea is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of... (answered by ewatrrr,jessica43)
If Leah is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of... (answered by scott8148)
6. If Leah is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total... (answered by stanbon)
If Leah is 6 years older than her sister, Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and... (answered by usyim88hk)
If Leah is 6 years older than her sister, Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
If Leah is 6 years older than her sister, Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)