Lindsey is 5 years less than half her father's age. The sum of their ages is 79. How old is Linsey?

Question

Lindsey is 5 years less than half her father's age. The sum of their ages is 79. How old is Linsey?

Answer 1

Father age =x

Lindsey = 1/2 x -5

 

sum of their ages means to add and set = to 79

 

x + 1/2 x -5 =79  (multiply both sides by 2 to get rid of fraction)

2(x + 1/2 x -5 =79)2

2x+x-10= 158

3x -10 = 158

3x= 168

x= 56

 

father's age is 56. Lindsey's age is  1/2(56) -5= 28-5=23 

check 56 +23=79.