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Ajit is three less than twice as old as Marie. If the sum of their ages is 39, determine their ages. Create a complete solution.
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A = 2M - 3, (1) ("Ajit is three less than twice as old as Marie.")
A + M = 39. (2) ("the sum of their ages is 39")
Substitute A = 2M -3 from (1) into (2). You will get a single equation for M:
(2M - 3) + M = 39.
Simplify and solve it:
2M - 3 + M = 39,
3M = 39 + 3,
3M = 42,
M = = 14.
Marie is 14 years. Ajit is 2M -3 = 2*14-3 = 28-3 = 25 years.