document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1153772>Question 1153772</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\">  	<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Jordan is 3 years less than twice the age of his cousin. If their ages total 48, how old is Jordan?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "a. 	<BR>\n" );
document.write( "12\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "b. 	<BR>\n" );
document.write( "31\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "c. 	<BR>\n" );
document.write( "17\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "d. 	<BR>\n" );
document.write( "15<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #776059 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><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=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=776059\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The algebraic solutions from the other tutors are fine; and you should know how to do them.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "But if an algebraic solution is not required, then solving the problem using logical reasoning and simple arithmetic can be good mental exercise.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "(1) Add 3 to Jordan's age so that he is EXACTLY twice as old as his cousin; that makes the sum of their ages 48+3 = 51.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(2) Divide the total 51 into two parts in the ratio 2:1 to get 34 and 17.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(3) Subtract off the \"extra\" 3 years you added to Jordan's age to get their real ages of 31 and 17.<br><BR>\n" );
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