SOLUTION: please help me solve this problem. Eva is 2 years older than Julienne. The sum of their ages is 20. Find their present ages.

Question 607061: please help me solve this problem.
Eva is 2 years older than Julienne. The sum of their ages is 20. Find their present ages.
Answer by sophxmai(62) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Eva is 2 years older than Julienne. The sum of their ages is 20. Find their present ages.

Let:
Eva's age = x
Julienne's age = y

x+y=20 <--the sum of their ages is 20
x-2=y <--Eva is 2 years older than Julienne

You can solve this system by either adding/subtracting or substituting.

Adding/Subtracting:
x+y=20
x-2=y

Rearrange the 2nd equation
x-2=y becomes x-y=2
So now we have

x+y=20
x-y=2
Now add the equations, you will get
2x=22
Now solve...
2x=22
x=11

Now that you have x, plug it into one of the equations to solve for y
x-y=2
11-y=2
11-2=y
9=y

Since x=11 and y=9
Eva's age is 11 and Julienne's age is 9
Substituting:
x+y=20
x-2=y

Since the 2nd equation is already arranged in a way that a variable = something... substitute it into the 1st equation.
x+y=20
x+(x-2)=20
x+x-2=20
2x-2=20
2x=22
x=11

Now that you have 11, plug x into your 2nd equation
x-2=y
11-2=y
9=y

Since x=11 and y=9
Eva's age is 11 and Julienne's age is 9

RELATED QUESTIONS
Solve the problem. Write your solution. Maridel is 2 years older than Trisha. The sum of (answered by MathLover1)

Can you please help me solve this problem: 1.) A teacher is 15 years older than her... (answered by ptaylor)

please help me with this problem. im stuck. Jacob is 8 years older than Anthony. The... (answered by Mathtut)

Please help me solve this problem: A teacher is 15 years older than her student. In (answered by Edwin McCravy)

Please help me solve this problem Michelle is 9 years younger than Ana. If the sum of... (answered by jhunjiro)

can you help me solve this problem? The sum of their present ages is 40, The mother is... (answered by Cromlix)

Jeje is 8 years older than her brother Mon. The sum of their ages is 36. Find their... (answered by the_tutor2011)

Maine is older than Kylie. In 3 years, the sum of their ages will be twice the sum of... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

Please help me to solve this question 5 years ago amer was 10 years older than his... (answered by randyjoseph7,josmiceli)