Question 872309
x and z, their ages.
{{{x+z=44}}}, and exactly as described: {{{2x-z=-2}}}, but this is a bad way to state a difference.


z-2x=2.
x=44-z.
{{{z-2(44-z)=2}}}
{{{z-44-2z=2}}}
{{{-z-44=2}}}
{{{z+44=-2}}}
{{{highlight_green(z=-46)}}}
, which makes no sense.


Maybe you wanted to describe in a way to mean, {{{z-2x=-2}}}, and multiplying this equation by negative 1 gives {{{2x-z=2}}}.
x+z=44,
x=44-z.
{{{2(44-z)-z=2}}}
{{{88-22z-z=2}}}
{{{88-23z=2}}}
{{{88-2=23z}}}
{{{86=23z}}}
{{{z=86/23}}}
{{{highlight(z=3&17/23)}}} years, Zane's age.
Elliot's age, {{{highlight(x=44-3&17/23)}}} years.


You might wish to approximate these to the nearest month.