document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=620610>Question 620610</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Derrick is 5 less than twice as old as Brandon. The sum of their ages is 43. How old are Derrick and Brandon? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #390342 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=math-vortex><B>math-vortex(648)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-11.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=math-vortex><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=math-vortex><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=390342\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi, there--<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "STEP I: Set your variables.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let d be Derrick's age.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let b be Brandon's age.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "STEP II: Use information in the problem to write equations that model the situation.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "In algebra, the phrase \"Derrick is 5 less than twice as old as Brandon\" can be written as,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=d=2b-5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"d=2b-5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "\"The sum of their ages is 43\" can be written as,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=d%2Bb=43 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"d%2Bb=43\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "STEP III: Solve the system of two equations with two variables.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Substitute 2b-5 for d in the second equation.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=d%2Bb=43 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"d%2Bb=43\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%282b-5%29%2Bb=43 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%282b-5%29%2Bb=43\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Simplify by combining like terms and solve for b.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3b-5=43 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3b-5=43\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3b=48 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3b=48\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=b=16 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"b=16\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The equation b=16 means that Brandon is 16 years old.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Substitute 16 for b in either equation. I'll use the second.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=d%2Bb=43 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"d%2Bb=43\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=d%2B16=43 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"d%2B16=43\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Solve for d.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=d=43-16 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"d=43-16\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=d=27 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"d=27\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The equation d=27 means that Derrick is 27 years old.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "STEP IV: Check your work by checking your answers in the original problem.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Is Derrick 5 less than twice a old as Bandon? Twice 16 is 32, and 27 is 5 less than 32. Check!<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Is the sum of their ages 43? 16+27=43. Check!!!<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Hope this helps! Feel free to email if you have questions about this solution.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "MsFiggy<BR>\n" );
document.write( "math.in.the.vortex@gmail.com\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Derrick is 5 less than twice as old as Brandon. The sum of their ages is 43. How old are Derrick and Brandon? </SPAN>\n" );
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