SOLUTION: Beth is two years older than Julio. Gerald is twice as old as Beth. Debra is twice as old as Gerald. The sum of their ages is 38. How old is Beth?

Question 443266: Beth is two years older than Julio. Gerald is twice as old as Beth. Debra is twice as old as Gerald. The sum of their ages is 38. How old is Beth?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Beth is two years older than Julio.
Gerald is twice as old as Beth.
Debra is twice as old as Gerald.
The sum of their ages is 38.
How old is Beth?
:
write an equation for each statement, get everything in terms of b:
:
Beth is two years older than Julio.
b = j+2
or
j = (b-2)
:
Gerald is twice as old as Beth.
g = 2b
:
Debra is twice as old as Gerald.
d = 2g
Replace g with 2b
d = 2(2b)
d = 4b
:
The sum of their ages is 38.
b + j + g + d = 38
Replace j, g, d
b +(b-2) + 2b + 4b = 38
8b = 38 + 2
b =
b = 5 yrs is Beth's age
:
:
Check solution by finding the total
5 + 3 + 10 + 20 = 38, confirms our solution of b=5
:

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