Question 267712
Let {{{m}}} = Marla's age now
Let {{{c}}} = Carey's age now
Then {{{m - 5}}} = Marla's age five years ago
And {{{c - 5}}} = Carey's age five years ago
given:
(1) {{{m = c - 5}}}
(2) {{{m - 5 + c - 5 = 41}}}
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Substitute (1) into (2)
{{{c - 5 - 5 + c - 5 = 41}}}
{{{2c - 15 = 41}}}
{{{2c = 56}}}
{{{c = 28}}}
and, since
{{{m = c - 5}}}
{{{m = 28 - 5}}}
{{{m = 23}}}
Marla is 23 and Carey is 28 now
check:
(2) {{{m - 5 + c - 5 = 41}}}
(2) {{{23 - 5 + 28 - 5 = 41}}}
{{{51 - 10 = 41}}}
{{{41 = 41}}}
OK