Question 722941
Let W = Will's age
Let B = Ben's age
Let J = Jan's age
Given:
(1) B = W +3
(2) J = 2*B
(3) W + B + J = 41
Put (1) into (2) and get
(4) J = 2*(W+3) or
(5) J = 2*W + 6
Put (1) and (5) into (3) and get
(6) W + (W+3) + (2*W + 6} = 41 or
(7) W + W + 3 + 2*W + 6 = 41 or
(8) 4*W = 41 - 9 or
(9) 4*W = 32 or
(10) W = 8
Use (1) to get
(11) B = 8 + 3 or
(12) B = 11
Use (2) to get
(13) J = 2*11 or
(14) J = 22
Let's check these values with (3).
Is (8 + 11 + 22 = 41)?
Is (8 + 33 = 41)?
Is (41 = 41)? Yes
Answer: Will is 8, Ben is 11 and Jan is 22.