hullan is a 11 years older than thomas. the sum of their ages is 77. what is thomas age

Question

solve a word problem with two unknown liner equations

 

 

Answer 1

Solve this using only one variable:

 

Let x = be the age of Thomas

 

    x + 11 = be the age of Hullan

 

x + x + 11 = 77 is the equation

 

 

Solving for x:   2x + 11 = 77

                       2x  = 66

                         x = 33

 

             Answer:  Thomas is 33 years old

 

 

 

To check: x + 11 = 33 + 11 = 44 is Hullan's age

 

                 33 + 44 = 77 , the total of their ages is 77

Answer 2

Hello Lacie,

Let H = the the age of Hullan, and

let T = the age of Thomas.

 

Then from the first sentence, we have

H = T + 11.

 

From the second sentence, we get

H + T = 77

 

By replacing 'H' with what it is equal to, 

→ (T + 11) + T = 77

→ 2T + 11 = 77

→ 2T = 66

→ T = 33

 

→ H = 44.

 

So Thomas is 33 years old and Hullan is 44.

 

Thank you for the question.

Michael Ehlers