ashley is twice as old as linda. if five years ago the sum of their ages was 86

Answer 1

Hi,

Here's a step by step algebraic way of looking at it too.

(x - 5) + (2X - 5) = 86

Linda + Ashley

3X -10 = 86 (Grouping like factors together)

+10 +10 (setting alone the X factor)

------------------

3x =96

---------------- (setting alone the X factor)

3 3

X = 32 = Linda

2X = 64 = Ashley

I hope this helped.

Laurie G.

Answer 2

a = 2l

a - 5 + (l - 5) = 86

2l - 5 + l - 5 = 86

3l = 96

l = 32

a= 2(32)

a = 64