Question 222583
Carl is twice as old as Rita. Meg is 5 years older than Carl. If the combined age is 155, how old is Meg?


Step 1.  Let x be the age of Rita.


Step 2.  Let 2x be the age of Carl since he is twice as old as Rita.


Step 3.  Let 2x+5 since Meg is 5 years older than Carl.


Step 4.  Then x+2x+2x+5=155 since their combined age is 155.


Step 5.  Solving the equation in Step 4 yields the following steps.


{{{5x+5=155}}}


Subtract 5 from both sides of the equation


{{{5x+5-5=155-5}}}


{{{5x=150}}}


Divide by 5 to both sides of the equation


{{{5x/5=150/5}}}


{{{x=30}}}, then {{{2x=60}}} and {{{2x+5=65}}}.  Note that the combined age is 155.


Step 6.  ANSWER:  The age of Meg is 65 years old.  Note that Carl is 60 years old and Rita is 30 years old.


I hope the above steps were helpful.


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Good luck in your studies!


Respectfully,
Dr J