Question

The sum of Tony's age and his older brother's age is 29. The difference between their ages is 5 years. How old is Tony?

Answer 1

@mathstudent55 help please

Answer 2

Let Tony's age = x
Older brother's age = y

The sum of Tony's age and his older brother's age is 29
Means, x + y = 29

The difference between their ages is 5 years.
Means, y - x = 5 [Because, y > x (Older brother is obviously "older" than Tony)]

So, we have 2 equations now:

y + x = 29
y - x = 5

Add these 2 equations.

y + x + y - x = 34
2y = 34
y = 17

Hence, the older brother (y) = 17 years.

Because y - x = 5
17 - x = 5
x = 12

Therefore, y = 17, x = 12.
Hence, Tony is 12 years old. His older brother is 17 years old.