Tony and Belinda have a combined age of 56. Belinda is 8 more than twice Tony’s age. How old is each?

Question

anonymous · Answer

first thing i always do with this type of problem is to make a chart

anonymous · Answer

tony  = x
Belinda = 8+2x
making sense so far ?

xochital · Answer

yes so far it is

anonymous · Answer

ok so now we know that combined age is 56 so what do you think we do with the two to set up an equation?

xochital · Answer

t + b = 56
8 + 2t = b

anonymous · Answer

to set up an equation 
x+8+2x=56

anonymous · Answer

does that make sense ? because we have a total now combine like terms

xochital · Answer

oh okay so it would be 8 + 3x = 56 ??

anonymous · Answer

yes now we want to get the x onto one side

xochital · Answer

x = 16 right?

anonymous · Answer

do u have a solution or what the answer is supposed to be ?

anonymous · Answer

ok i goofed up so 
tony should be = 2x
belinda = 8+2x

xochital · Answer

so tony's age is 16... so belinda must be 40

xochital · Answer

ohh okay

anonymous · Answer

ok sorry i did the addition wrong = you are right my bad :/

xochital · Answer

so tony is 16 and belinda is 40?

anonymous · Answer

yes !!

xochital · Answer

okay thank you :)