SOLUTION: I don't understand 3 sisters are each 2 years apart in age. The youngest sister is Emily, the middle sister is Samantha and the oldest sister is Lauren. Together their combined ag

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Question 101069: I don't understand
3 sisters are each 2 years apart in age. The youngest sister is Emily, the middle sister is Samantha and the oldest sister is Lauren. Together their combined ages are 42. How old is each sister?
a. Define the variable(s).
b. Write an equation for this situation using one variable.
c. Solve the equation for the ages of the 3 sisters.
Answer by ptaylor(2198) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

a. DEFINE THE VARIABLES:
Let x=Emily's age
Then x+2=Samantha's age
And x+4=Lauren's age
b. WRITE EQUATION:
Now we are told that:
x+x+2+x+4=42 or
c. SOLVE THE EQUATION:
x+x+2+x+4=42 simplify
3x+6=42 subtract 6 from both sides
3x+6-6=42-6 collect like terms
3x=36 divide both sides by 3
x=12-------------------------------Emily's age
x+2=12+2=14------------------------------Samantha's age
x+4=12+4=16--------------------------------Lauren's age
CK
12+14+16=42
42=42

Hope this helps----ptaylor