SOLUTION: Ross is five years older then twice his sister Holly's age. The difference is their ages is 14 years. How old is Holly? (A)9 (B)23 (C)3 (D)18

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: Ross is five years older then twice his sister Holly's age. The difference is their ages is 14 years. How old is Holly? (A)9 (B)23 (C)3 (D)18      Log On

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Question 500213: Ross is five years older then twice his sister Holly's age. The difference is their ages is 14 years. How old is Holly?
(A)9
(B)23
(C)3
(D)18
Answer by Maths68(1474) About Me  (Show Source):
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Let
Present age of Ross = r
Present age of Holly = h
Twice Holly's age = 2h
Then
Ross is five years older
r=2h + 5 .............(1)
The difference of their ages is 14 years
r-h = 14
r=14+h.............(2)
Plug in the value of r from (1) to (2)
2h + 5 = 14+h
2h-h+5=14
h+5=14
h=14-5
h=9
Put the value of h in (2)
r=14+h.............(2)
r=14+9
r=23
Present age of Ross = 23
Present age of Holly = 9