SOLUTION: Joe is three years younger than Mike. Fred is four years younger than Mike. The sum of their ages is 29. How old is each person?

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Question 1101298: Joe is three years younger than Mike. Fred is four years younger than Mike. The sum of their ages is 29. How old is each person?
Answer by math_helper(2461) About Me  (Show Source):
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J = M-3 (1)
F = M-4 (2)
M + F + J = 29 (3)
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Substituting for J and F (one could go directly to the next step using the wording from the problem):
M + (M-4) + (M-3) = 29
3M - 7 = 29
3M = 36
M = 12 —> J = 9 and F = 8
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Ans: Mike is 12, Joe is 9, and Fred is 8.
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Check: 12+9+8 = 21+8 = 29