Question

Is there a way to solve this with one variable?

The sum of Carl's age and Ellen's age is 40 years. Carl's age 10 years from now will be 1 year less than 4 times Ellen's age 6 years ago. Find their present ages.

Answer 1

Yes, try expressing Carl's age in terms of Ellen's and tell me what you get.

Answer 2

Let the present ages of Carl be "c" and Ellen "e". thus we can develop this:
c + e = 40 implying c = 40 - e

Answer 3

Thanks for the help. The wording of the chapter was first-degree equations in one variable.
Got the answer now.

Answer 4

x = ellen age now
40 - x = carl age now
50 - x = 4(x - 6) - 1
50 - x = 4x - 25
75 = 5x
x = 15
ellen = 15
carl = 25

thanks again