Question 566103
If Leah is 6 years older than sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of their ages is 41.
 Then how old is sue? 
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Let L = Leah's age
let S = Sue's age
Let J = John's age
:
WRite an equation for each statement, arrange to get S and J in terms of L:
:
"If Leah is 6 years older than sue,"
L = S + 6
S = L - 6

:
" John is 5 years older than Leah,"
J = L + 5
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" the total of their ages is 41."
L + S + J = 41
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Replace S with (L-6), replace J with (L+5), solve for L, then find S & J
L + (L-6) + (L+5) = 41
:
Think you can handle it now?