Question 1200681
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While the problem asks us to find Beth's age in 2023 (now), setting the problem up using her current age as the variable makes the path to the solution more difficult than needed.<br>
Given the fact that Jenny's age was twice Beth's age in 2005, I would use my variable to represent Beth's age in 2005:<br>
x = Beth's age in 2005
2x = Jenny's age in 2005
x+18 = Beth's age in 2023
2x+18 = Jenny's age in 2023<br>
Now, Jenny's age is 24 more than half Beth's age:<br>
{{{2x+18=(x+18)/2+24}}}
{{{2x+18=x/2+33}}}
{{{(3/2)x=15}}}
{{{x=15(2/3)=10}}}<br>
ANSWER: Beth's age (now, in 2023) is x+18 = 10+18 = 28<br>