Question

The ages of Huey, Dewey, and Luey add up to 53 years. Luey is 1 more than twice Huey's age. Dewey is 4 years younger than Luey. How old is Huey, in years?

Answer 1

let's let H = Huey's age, D = Dewey's age, and L = Luey's age

they add up to 53 so H + D + L + 53

Luey is 1 more than twice Huey's age ---> L = 2H + 1. Solve this equation for H to get H in terms of L. This step will help us in a later step.

Dewey is 4 years younger than Luey ---> D = L - 4

You now have 2 equations for H and D in terms of L. plug them into the first equation, getting an equation in terms of L only. from there, substitute L into L = 2H + 1 and solve for H.