SOLUTION: If Leah is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is Sue? How do you set it up and solve it?

Algebra ->  Human-and-algebraic-language -> SOLUTION: If Leah is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is Sue? How do you set it up and solve it?      Log On


   

Question 302089: If Leah is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is Sue? How do you set it up and solve it?
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
L = S + 6

J = L + 5 = S + 6 + 5 = S + 11

L + J + S = 41 ___ S + 6 + S + 11 + S = 41

3S + 17 = 41 ___ 3S = 24 ___ S = 8