Question 1120955
.


<U>Solution 1</U> : <U>two unknowns, two equations</U>


<pre>
S - K = 3               (1)
(S-5) + (K-5) = 41      (2)


Equivalently


S - K =  3              (1')
S + K = 51              (2')


Add equations (1') and (2'). You will get


2S = 3 + 51 = 54  ====>  S = 54/2 = 27.


<U>Answer</U>.  Susan is 27;  Karen is 24 years old.
</pre>


<U>Solution 2</U> : <U>one unknown, one equation</U>


<pre>
(K-5) + ((K+3)-5) = 41     (5 years ago . . . )


2K - 7 = 41


2K = 41 + 7 = 48  


K = 24,


and you get the same answer.
</pre>

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It is a very standard age word problem.


There is a bunch of lessons on age word problems 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Age-problems-and-their-solutions.lesson>Age problems and their solutions</A>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Fresh-formulation-of-a-traditional-age-problem.lesson>A fresh formulation of a traditional age problem</A>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Really-intricate-age-word-problem.lesson>Really intricate age word problem</A>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Selected-age-word-problems-from-the-archive.lesson>Selected age word problems from the archive</A>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Age-problems-for-mental-solution.lesson>Age problems for mental solution</A> 

in this site.


Read them and become an expert in solving age problems.


Also, you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson>ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK</A>.


The referred lessons are the part of this online textbook under the topic "<U>Age word problems</U>".



Save the link to this online textbook together with its description


Free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson


to your archive and use it when it is needed.