Question

AGES Morgan is 15 years younger than Mrs. Santos.

Their combined age is 44.
Write the system then use substitution to solve and
interpret the solution to the system of equations
that represents the situation.

Answer 1

Let

• Santos age be x
• Morgan's age be y

ATQ

• There combined age is 44

`\\ \sf\longmapsto y=x-15\dots(1)`

`\\ \sf\longmapsto x+y=44\dots(2)`

Now put in eq(2)

`\\ \sf\longmapsto x+x-15=44`

`\\ \sf\longmapsto 2x=59`

`\\ \sf\longmapsto x=29.5`

`\\ \sf\longmapsto y=29.5-15=14.5`

• Morgan's age=14.5yrs
• Mrs Sanstos's age=29.5yrs

Answer 2

• Morgan is 14.5 and Mrs. Santos is 29.5

Explanation:

Let the ages be m an s.

According to question we have:

• m = s - 15
• m + s = 44

Substitute m into second equation and solve for s:

• s - 15 + s = 44
• 2s = 44 + 15
• 2s = 59
• s = 59/2
• s = 24.5

Find the value of m:

• m = 29.5 - 15
• m = 14.5

We got:

• Morgan is 14.5 and Mrs. Santos is 29.5