Sharon is the youngest in her family. Her sister Anne is 3 years older than she is. Her brother Tom is 5 years older than Anne. The sum of their ages is 62.

How old is Sharon?

Question

Sharon is the youngest in her family. Her sister Anne is 3 years older than she is. Her brother Tom is 5 years older than Anne. The sum of their ages is 62. 

 

How old is Sharon?

anonymous · Answer

Solve the following for s, a and t:$$\{s=a-3,s=t-5,a+s+t=62\} $$

mathmath333 · Answer

$\large\ sharon =x$
$\large\ anne =x+3$
$\large\ tom =5+(x+3)$
$\large\ x+(x+3)+(5+x+3)=62$

anonymous · Answer

If one has access to Mathematica, a press of the key pad Enter key will solve for s directly. 

Eliminate[ {s=a-3,s=t-5,s+a+t=62}, {a,t} ] 
s = 18

jane11509 · Answer

thank you

anonymous · Answer

You are welcome and thank you for the medal.

anonymous · Answer

i got it wrong and it said it is 17!

anonymous · Answer

Sorry about that.  A new formulation is shown below:
Solve[{s = a - 3, t = a + 5, a + s + t = 62}, {s, a, t}]
{s -> 17, a -> 20, t -> 25}

anonymous · Answer

ok thanks!