Question

Bettina’s age is three times Melvina’s age. If 20 is added to Melvina’s age and 20 is subtracted from Bettina’s age, their ages will be equal. How old is each now?

Answer 1

Melvina's age is = x, Bettina's age is = 3x the equation is x + 20 = 3x - 20 subtract 3x from both sides -(3x) + x +20 = 3x - 20 - (3x) -2x + 20 = -20 subtract 20 from both sides -2x + 20 - (20) = -20 - (20) -2x = - 40 divide both sides by -2 (-2x)/-2 = (-40)/-2 x = 20 Melvinas age is 20 and Bettinas age is 60