<PRE><B>Question 625319</B>
Let the age of Richard be n

Let the age of Steve be n - 7

Add their ages together:

n + n - 7 = 37

Combine like terms:

n + n = 2n

2n - 7 = 37

Add 7 to each side of the equation

2n - 7 + 7 = 37 + 7

Combine like terms:

-7 + 7 = 0

37 + 7 = 44

2n = 44

Divide each side by 2

2n/2 = 44/2

n = 22

n - 7 = 22 - 7 = 15

Steve is 15 years old and

Richard is 22 years old.

22 + 15 = 37



obuong3@aol.com</PRE>