SOLUTION: The total age of three children is 40. The age of the oldest is twice the age of the youngest. The ages of the two older children differ by 5 years. What is the age of the young

Question 789263: The total age of three children is 40. The age of the oldest is twice the age of the youngest. The ages of the two older children differ by 5 years. What is the age of the youngest child?
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The total age of three children is 40. The age of the oldest is twice the age of the youngest. The ages of the two older children differ by 5 years. What is the age of the youngest child?
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Equations:
e + m + y = 40
e = 2y
e - m = 5
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Substitute for "y" and for "m" and solve for "e":
e + (e-5) + (e/2) = 40
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2e - 5 + e/2 = 40
4e - 10 + e = 80
5e = 90
e = 18 (age of the eldest)
m = e-5 = 13 (age of the middle child)
y = e/2 = 9 (age of the youngest)
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Cheers,
Stan H.

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