Question

Juwan is 7 years older than Molly. In 5 years the sum of their ages will be 53. How old is Juwan now?

Answer 1

Do you have an idea of what type of problem this may be?

Answer 2

I believe it is an application problem using algebra

Answer 3

Yes! Do you know what specific concept of algebra?

Answer 4

Well here's the information I got with it; Solve application problems involving consecutive integers, geometry, percents, and uniform motion with one unknown.

Answer 5

The way I solved it is by setting up a system of equations.

Answer 6

Okay so how would I do that?

Answer 7

\[J=M+7, (J+5)+(M+5)=53\]

Answer 8

Because Juwan is seven years older that Monica, hence J=M+7 and the sum of their ages will be 53 in 5 years (5 plus their current age). Now, you may use the substitution method to solve for their age.

Answer 9

Okay what is the substitution method?

Answer 10

j+5+m+5=53
if j=m+7 then the substitution method is to put m+7 in j's place so
m+7+5+m+5=53
2m+17=53
-17 -17
2m=36
m=18
right now m=18 and j=25

Answer 11

Juwan is 25 years old.

Answer 12

The substitution method basically means that if two things are equal, you can swap them. For example, if the equation is b=a+2 and you knew that b=3, you could change the problem to 3=a+2 in order to solve for a=1. Does that make sense?

Answer 13

I get it now, thank you so much