Question

Four times Joe’s age plus 2 times Tim’s ageequals 50. Tim’s age is also 2 less than Joe’s age.How old is Joe?

Answer 1

Joe is 9 years old

Explanation:

We can start by creating two different equations, one for each fact that we know about their ages.

Say that J is Joe's age

Say that T is Tim's age

Our first equation would then be:

4J + 2T = 50

J - 2 = T

Now that we know that T is J - 2, we can plug that in to the first equation.

4J + 2(J - 2) = 50

We can simplify this equation to solve for J

4J + 2J - 4 = 50

6J = 54

J = 9

Joe is 9 years old