SOLUTION: I've tried charting this several different ways and I am stuck. Kaitlyn is 5 years older than Ethan. Ethan is 3 years younger than Shelby. Shelby is 2 years younger than Kaitlyn. T

Question 242516: I've tried charting this several different ways and I am stuck. Kaitlyn is 5 years older than Ethan. Ethan is 3 years younger than Shelby. Shelby is 2 years younger than Kaitlyn. The sum of all three ages is 7 less than 3 times the age of Kaitlyn. How old is Kaitlyn?
Answer by scott8148(6628) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
" Kaitlyn is 5 years older than Ethan" ___ K = E + 5 ___ K - 5 = E

"Ethan is 3 years younger than Shelby" ___ E = S - 3

"Shelby is 2 years younger than Kaitlyn" ___ S = K - 2

"The sum of all three ages is 7 less than 3 times the age of Kaitlyn" ___ K + E + S = 3K - 7

substituting ___ K + K - 5 + K - 2 = 3K - 7 ___ 3K - 7 = 3K - 7

there is not enough information to determine a unique age for any of the three
___ the number of independent equations must equal the number of unknowns
___ any one of the given relationships can be found from the other two; this means the equations are NOT independent
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