Question 1176252

let Maridel's age be {{{M}}} and  Trisha's age be {{{T}}}

if Maridel is {{{2 }}}years older than Trisha, we have

 {{{M=T+2}}}.......eq.1

if the sum of their ages is {{{20}}}, we have

{{{M+T=20}}}.....eq.2....substitute {{{M}}} from eq.1

{{{T+2+T=20}}}

{{{2T=20-2}}}

{{{2T=18}}}

{{{T=9}}}


go to

{{{M=T+2}}}.......eq.1..substitute {{{T}}}

{{{M=9+2}}}

{{{M=11}}}



 their present ages: Maridel is {{{11}}} years old and  Trisha is {{{9}}} years old