Question 232387
Let x=Sue's age
Then x+6=Leah's age
And (x+6)+5=x+6+5=x+11=John's age
And we are told that the above ages add up to 41, so:
x+x+6+x+11=41  collecting like terms we get:
3x+17=41  subtract 17 from each side
3x+17-17=41-17  collect like terms again
3x=24  divide each side by 3
x=8------------------Sue's age
x+6=8+6=14-------------Leah's age
x+11=8+11=19--------------John's age

CK
Leah is 6 years older than Sue 8+6=14 OK
John is 5 years older than Leah 14+5=19 OK
Their ages add up to 41; 8+14+19=41  OK


Hope this helps---ptaylor