
Christina B. answered 02/14/20
Experienced, Positive, and Effective Tutor with an M.Ed.
Hi Ximena,
The trick to problems like this is figuring out how to translate the words into equations.
Carole is twice Lorraine's age. In six years, the sum of their ages will be 30. How old are they now?
Let's break apart the information one piece at a time.
Carole is twice Lorraine's age.
We can write this as C = 2L
In six years, the sum of their ages will be 30.
= 30.
In six years, the sum of their ages will be 30.
Carol's age will be C+6, and Lorraine's age will be L+6
In six years, the sum of their ages will be 30.
Therefore, C+6 + L+6 = 30
Now you have a system of equations that you can solve:
C+6 + L+6 = 30, or simplified C + L + 12 = 30
C = 2L
Anywhere where you see "C" in the top equation, you can substitute 2L
C + L + 12 = 30
2L + L + 12 = 30
Now it's a one-variable equation that you can solve for the value of L, Lorraine's age. Once you know that, you can solve for Carole's age.
I hope that helped! If this answer was useful to you, please upvote it.