SOLUTION: The total age of three children is 40. The age of the oldest is twice the age of the youngest. The ages of the two older children differ by 5 years. What is the age of the young

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Question 789263: The total age of three children is 40. The age of the oldest is twice the age of the youngest. The ages of the two older children differ by 5 years. What is the age of the youngest child?
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
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The total age of three children is 40. The age of the oldest is twice the age of the youngest. The ages of the two older children differ by 5 years. What is the age of the youngest child?
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Equations:
e + m + y = 40
e = 2y
e - m = 5
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Substitute for "y" and for "m" and solve for "e":
e + (e-5) + (e/2) = 40
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2e - 5 + e/2 = 40
4e - 10 + e = 80
5e = 90
e = 18 (age of the eldest)
m = e-5 = 13 (age of the middle child)
y = e/2 = 9 (age of the youngest)
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Cheers,
Stan H.