SOLUTION: Jim is 6 years older than Kathy. Together, their ages equal four times Kathy's age. How old is each? How do I turn this into an equation to solve for x?

Question 916528: Jim is 6 years older than Kathy. Together, their ages equal four times Kathy's age. How old is each? How do I turn this into an equation to solve for x?
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Jim is 6 years older than Kathy.

Jim's age = Kathy's age plus 6

Jim's age = K+6

where K = Kathy's age

Together, their ages...

"Together" means to add their ages:

Jim's age PLUS Kathy's age.

Jim's age = K+6
Kathy's age = K

So Jim's age PLUS Kathy's age is (K+6) + K

...equal four times Kathy's age.

Since four times Kathy's age is 4K, we have

(K+6) + K = 4K

That's the equation.  You can solve it, to find K, then
since

Jim is 6 years older than Kathy.

You'll just add 6 to Kathy's age to find Jim's age.

Analyze all your word problems this way.

Edwin

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