Question

Solve this problem in your notebook using all four steps.

Harvey is 3 times as old as Jane. The sum of their ages is 48 years. Find the age of each.

Jane is______years old.
Harvey is______years old.

Answer 1

write it like you read it...

Harvey is 3 times as old as Jane...
H = 3J

The sum of their ages is 48
H + J = 48

so now we are just gonna sub in 3J for H back into the 2nd equation...solving by substitution.

H + J = 48
3J + J = 48
4J = 48 -- divide both sides by 4
J = 12

H = 3J
H = 3(12)
H = 36

so...Harvey (H) is 36 and Jane (J) is 12