Question 404525
Let Marla is x now and Carey is y.
Then we obtain the system of equations:

{{{y = x + 5}}}
{{{(x - 5) + (y - 5) = 41}}}

Substitute the expression for y from the first equation into the second equation:

{{{(x - 5) + ((x + 5) - 5) = 41}}}

Simplify this expression:

{{{x - 5 + x + 5 - 5 = 41}}}
{{{2x - 5 = 41}}}
{{{2x = 46}}}
{{{x = 23}}}

Then {{{y = x + 5 = 23 + 5 = 28}}}

Answer is: Marla is 23 now and Carey is 28.