SOLUTION: Tim is one-third the age of Jenny. Ellen is one-half the age of Jenny. The sum of their ages is 44, How old is Tim?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: Tim is one-third the age of Jenny. Ellen is one-half the age of Jenny. The sum of their ages is 44, How old is Tim?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 238610: Tim is one-third the age of Jenny. Ellen is one-half the age of Jenny. The sum of their ages is 44, How old is Tim?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let t = Tim's age
Let j = Jenny's age
Let e = Ellen's age
given:
t+=+%281%2F3%29%2Aj
e+=+%281%2F2%29%2Aj
t+%2B+j+%2B+e+=+44
By substitution,
%281%2F3%29%2Aj+%2B+j+%2B+%281%2F2%29%2Aj+=+44
Multiply both sides by 6
2j+%2B+6j+%2B+3j+=+6%2A44
11j+=+264
j+=+24
and, since
t+=+%281%2F3%29%2Aj
t+=+%281%2F3%29%2A24
t+=+8
Tim is 8 years old
check:
e+=+%281%2F2%29%2Aj
e+=+%281%2F2%29%2A24
e+=+12
and
t+%2B+j+%2B+e+=+44
8+%2B+24+%2B+12+=+44
44+=+44
OK