Question 1160733
Solution.
Let Joe's age be x.
Sue's age be x-3.
Paul's age be 2x.
x+(x-3)+2x = 33
Remove parentheses
x+x-3+2x = 33
Collect the like terms
4x-3 = 33
Move constant to the right
4x = 33+3
Add the numbers
4x = 36
Divide both sides of the equation by 4
x = 9
Joe is 9 years old.
Sue is (9-3) = 6 years old.
Paul is 2x = 2*9 = 18 years old.
Check-----
x+(x-3)+2x = 33