Question 490361
Let J = Jennifer's age, R = Rene's age, and M = Melissa's age.
J = R-17 "Jennifer is 17 years younger than Rene."
R = M+10 "Rene is 10 years older than Melissa."
J+R+M = 60 "Their ages total 60 years."
Find Rene's age.
Start with:
J+R+M = 60 Now substitute J = R-17 from the first equation.
(R-17)+R+M = 60 Now substitute M = R-10 from the second equation.
R-17+R+R-10 = 60 Combine like-terms.
3R-27 = 60 Add 27 to both sides.
3R = 87 Divide both sides by 3.
R = 29
Rene is 29 years old.