An oil painting is 16 years older than a watercolor by the same artist. The oil painting is also three times older than the watercolor. How old is each? Identify a variable, set up an equation, and solve.

Answer 1

the oil painting is 24 years old
the watercolor is 8 years old

x=y+16
x= 3y

y+16=3y
-y -y

16=2y
/2 /2

8=y

x=(8)+16
x= (8)3

x=24

Answer 2

y+16=3y that is all you need !

2 y = 16
y = 8
3 y = 24
the end