Math/Algebra problem,, need help

Question

Katie is twice as old as her sister Mara. The sum of their ages is 24. Write a one-variable equation to represent the situation. Make sure to label the variable. Then find the ages of each sister

Answer 1

In math, the word "is" becomes the math symbol "="

So if we make a variable for Katie (K) and one for Mara (M), then we can change the sentence into a math expression.

Katie is twice as old as her sister Mara. becomes;:

K = 2 M

The sum of their ages is 24 becomes K + M = 24

Now we will subtitute the K=2M in for the K in the sum is 24 equation.

K + M becomes 2M + M = 24 or 3M = 24 This is the equation they are asking for.

Solve it by dividing each side by 3. Find M = 8, or Mara is 8 years old.

K = 2M so Katie is 2(8) = 16 years old