SOLUTION: hi i need help with this kind of word problem because i dont understand it i would really appreciate it if you can also show the work so i can understand it more thank you krist

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Question 511004: hi i need help with this kind of word problem because i dont understand it i would really appreciate it if you can also show the work so i can understand it more thank you
kristine, jake, and lexi are cousins. jake is 2 years older than kristine and lexi is 8 years younger than jake. the sum of their ages is 35. find lexi's age.
thanks again!
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
kristine, jake, and lexi are cousins.
Write an equation for each statement
:
jake is 2 years older than kristine
j = k + 2
we want to get k in terms of j, like the next equation,
subtract 2 from both sides and we can write it
k = j - 2
:
lexi is 8 years younger than jake.
l = j - 8
:
the sum of their ages is 35.
k + j + l = 35
Replace k with (j-2) and l with (j-8)
(j-2) + j + (j-8) = 35
combine like terms
3j - 10 = 35
3j = 35 + 10
3j = 45
j =
j = 15 yr is Jake's age
:
Find L's age
l = 15 - 8
l = 7 yrs is Lexi's age
:
:
You should check this by finding k's age and see that the sum of all three ages add up 35