Jordan is twice the age of Luke who is 5 years older than Erin. If the total of their ages is 59 how old is Erin?

Question

anonymous · Answer

defining variables
Let "j" be the age of jordan
let "l" be the age of luke
let "e" be the age of erin

jordan is twice the age of luke
meaning 
j= 2l

Luke is 5 years older than Erin
meaning 
l=e+5

we can substitute to get 
j=2(e+5)

the total of their ages is 59
meaning 
l+j+e = 59

substitute for l and j and then solve for e( age of erin)