SOLUTION: Maggie's brother is 3 years younger than twice her age. The sum of their ages is 24. How old is Maggie?

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Question 982901: Maggie's brother is 3 years younger than twice her age. The sum of their ages is 24. How old is Maggie?
Answer by ikleyn(52794) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let  x  be the Maggie's age and  y  be her brother's age.

Then you have two equations:

1.  y = 2x -3,   and

2.  x + y = 24.

So,  you need to solve the system of two linear equations in two unknowns

system%28y+=+2x+-+3%2C%0D%0Ax+%2B+y+=+24%29.

Express  y  from the second equation  y = 24 - x  and substitute it into the first equation.  You will get

24 - x = 2x - 3.

Simplify it step by step:

24 + 3 = 2x + x,

27 = 3x,

x = 27%2F3 = 9.

Answer.  Maggie is  9  years old.