SOLUTION: Bill and Ted are brothers. The sum of their ages is 19. In three years Ted will be one and a half times as old as Bill. How old are Bill and Ted? I'm confused! I tried it but I

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Question 850505: Bill and Ted are brothers. The sum of their ages is 19. In three years Ted will be one and a half times as old as Bill. How old are Bill and Ted?
I'm confused! I tried it but I know it's not right. Thanks!
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Assign variables and translate the description into symbols.

b = Bill's age
t = Ted's age

b%2Bt=19.

Their ages in three years will be b+3 and t+3.
t%2B3=%281%2F2%29%28b%2B3%29.


---------------Solving the system--------------
2t+6=b+3
b-2t=3-6
-b+2t=6-3
-b+2t=3
-
SYSTEM NOW:
------------
-b+2t=3
and
b+t=19
------------
-
Add left members and add right members to eliminate b.
3t=21
t=7
That means from b+t=19 that b=12.
ANSWER: Ted is 7 years old and Bill is 12 years old.