SOLUTION: Adam is 10 years younger than Barry and Charles is 10 years older than Barry. If Charles is three times older than Adam, find each boy's age. if you could help me set up the pr

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Adam is 10 years younger than Barry and Charles is 10 years older than Barry. If Charles is three times older than Adam, find each boy's age. if you could help me set up the pr      Log On


   

Question 999537: Adam is 10 years younger than Barry and Charles is 10 years older than Barry. If Charles is
three times older than Adam, find each boy's age.
if you could help me set up the problem I am sure to figure it out. this is what i have so far.
b-10=a
c+10=b
3a=c
Is that set up right?
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, solver91311:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is the system, translated exactly according to the description:
system%28a=-10%2Bb%2Cc=10%2Bb%2Cc=3a%29

A simple rearrangement can be system%28a=b-10%2Cc=b%2B10%2Cc=3a%29. Various ways to solve the system for a, b, c.

system%28a=b-10%2Cb%2B10=3a%29

system%28a=b-10%2Cb=3a-10%29

a=%283a-10%29-10

a=3a-20

-2a=-20

highlight%28a=10%29-------one of the values solved.

Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Everything you have done is technically correct, but you are probably going to confuse the hell out of yourself using three variables -- certainly confuses me.

Try it this way:

Let represent Adam's age. Then Barry's age is , and Charles' age is .

Now you can say:



and solve for

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it