SOLUTION: 5. Mary is 5 years older than Jane. Four times Jane's age increased by 3 years equals three times Mary's age less 2 years. Find Mary's age

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Question 1024936: 5. Mary is 5 years older than Jane. Four times Jane's age increased by 3 years equals three times Mary's age less 2 years. Find Mary's age
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +m+ = Mary's age
Let +j+ = Jane's age
--------------------
(1) +m++=+j+%2B+5+
(2) +4j+%2B+3+=+3m+-+2+
---------------------
(2) +3m+-+4j+=+5+
and
(1) +m+-+j+=+5+
-----------------
Multiply both sides of (1) by +3+
and subtract (2) from (1)
(1) +3m+-+3j+=+15+
(2) +-3m+%2B+4j+=+-5+
-------------------
+j+=+10+
and
(1) +m++=+j+%2B+5+
(1) +m++=+10+%2B+5+
(1) +m+=+15+
Mary is 15
------------------
check:
Four times Jane's age increased by 3 years is
+4%2A10+%2B+3+=+43+
equals three times Mary's age less 2 years
+3%2A15+-+2+=+43+
OK