SOLUTION: Marla is 5 years younger than her friend Carey. Five years ago the sum of their ages was 41. How old is each of them now?

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Question 267712: Marla is 5 years younger than her friend Carey. Five years ago the sum of their ages was 41. How old is each of them now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let m = Marla's age now
Let c = Carey's age now
Then m+-+5 = Marla's age five years ago
And c+-+5 = Carey's age five years ago
given:
(1) m+=+c+-+5
(2) m+-+5+%2B+c+-+5+=+41
------------------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
c+-+5+-+5+%2B+c+-+5+=+41
2c+-+15+=+41
2c+=+56
c+=+28
and, since
m+=+c+-+5
m+=+28+-+5
m+=+23
Marla is 23 and Carey is 28 now
check:
(2) m+-+5+%2B+c+-+5+=+41
(2) 23+-+5+%2B+28+-+5+=+41
51+-+10+=+41
41+=+41
OK