SOLUTION: Hello: I am trying to solve this problem, but i am having a hard time setting up the equation. if you can help me that would be great. Alex is 8 years younger than his sister.

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Question 203207: Hello:
I am trying to solve this problem, but i am having a hard time setting up the equation. if you can help me that would be great.
Alex is 8 years younger than his sister. His mother is 6 years more than twice of his sister’s age. His mother is 42 years old.
Find the ages of Alex and his sister.
Found 2 solutions by rfer, ankor@dixie-net.com:
Answer by rfer(16322) About Me  (Show Source):
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Alex is 8 years younger than his sister.
His mother is 6 years more than twice of his sister’s age.
His mother is 42 years old.
Find the ages of Alex and his sister.
:
Let a = Alex's present age
Let s = sister's present age
:
Write an equation for each statement:
"Alex is 8 years younger than his sister."
a = s-8
:
"His mother is 6 years more than twice of his sister’s age. His mother is 42 years old."
2s + 6 = 42
2s = 42 - 6
2s = 36
s = 36%2F2
s = 18 is the sisters age
:
I'll let you find Alex's age
: