SOLUTION: Twice of William's age adds on to Michael's age to make 41. William is 3 years older than Michael. We are trying to find William's age. I tried making two equations, including one

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Question 744690: Twice of William's age adds on to Michael's age to make 41. William is 3 years older than Michael. We are trying to find William's age. I tried making two equations, including one that will solve for William's age. To find Michael first, I got a decimal. I am not sure what to do. I have tried.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Twice of William's age adds on to Michael's age to make 41.
2w + m = 41
:
William is 3 years older than Michael.
w = m + 3
:
in the first equation replace w with (m+3)
2(m+3) + m = 41
2m + 6 + m = 41
2m + m = 41 - 6
3m = 35
m = 112%2F3
Find w
w = 112%2F3 + 3
w = 142%2F3, a decimal just like you got
:
:
See if that checks out in the 1st equation
2w + m = 41
2(142%2F3) + 112%2F3
291%2F3 + 112%2F3 = 41