SOLUTION: Mary is five less than three times as old as sue. If the sum of their ages is 23, how old is mary?

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Question 569017: Mary is five less than three times as old as sue. If the sum of their ages is 23, how old is mary?
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
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Mary is five less than three times as old as sue. If the sum of their ages is 23, how old is mary?
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Equations:
m + s = 24
m = 3s-5
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Substitute for "m" and solvd for "s":
3s-5 + s = 24
4s = 29
Sue = (29/4) yrs
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Solve for "m":
m + (29/4) = 24
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4m + 29 = 96
4m = 67
Mary = (67/4) years
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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