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You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Ally is 8 years older than Dan.
\n" ); document.write( "Dan is half Ken's age.
\n" ); document.write( "For me, solving problems using algebra is easiest if I can set up the problem using only one variable. Perhaps another tutor will see this problem and give a response showing a solution that uses 2 or even 3 variables for the three ages. But for my solution I want to use only one variable.
\n" ); document.write( "One of the given pieces of information tells the relationship between Ally's age and Dan's age; the other tells the relationship between Dan's age and Ken's age.
\n" ); document.write( "Since both pieces of information involve Dan's age, that is the logical choice for our variable. So
\n" ); document.write( "let x = Dan's age
\n" ); document.write( "then x+8 = Ally's age
\n" ); document.write( "and 2x = Ken's age (Dan is half as old as Ken; so Ken is twice as old as Dan)
\n" ); document.write( "All their ages add up to 44.
\n" ); document.write( "What are their ages?
\n" ); document.write( "You have expressions in terms of a single variable for all three ages. Write and solve the equation that says the sum of those expressions is 44:
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "I assume you can finish from there.... \n" ); document.write( "