Algebra 1 age problem!! i need help!!

Question

Jason is five years older than Becky, and the sum of their ages is 23. What is Jason’s age? What is Becky’s age?

Answer 1

Hello Joselyn,

Let's call x the age of Becky.

Since Jason is 5 years older than Becky, his age would be described as x + 5

The sum of their ages is 23, so let's add Becky's and Jason's ages: x + x + 5 = 23

----> 2x + 5 = 23

Subtract 5 from both sides: 2x = 18

Divide both sides by 2 ---> x = 9

So Becky is 9 years old.

You're told that Jason is 5 years older, so if Becky is 9 years old, I'll let you figure out Jason's age from that.

You got it!