Write two equations:

Question

#1 Jack and his sister, Malonie, are 4 years apart in age.
#2 The sum of their ages is 28.

What are their ages?
Let ___ = _____________
Let ___=______________

Answer 1

To solve the problem, we can set up the equations based on the information provided.

Let \( J \) = Jack's age
Let \( M \) = Malonie's age

From the information given:

1. Jack and Malonie are 4 years apart in age:
   \( J - M = 4 \) (Equation 1)

2. The sum of their ages is 28:
   \( J + M = 28 \) (Equation 2)

Now, we can solve the equations.

First, rearranging Equation 1:
\( J = M + 4 \)

Now, we can substitute \( J \) in Equation 2:
\( (M + 4) + M = 28 \)
\( 2M + 4 = 28 \)
\( 2M = 28 - 4 \)
\( 2M = 24 \)
\( M = 12 \)

Now that we have Malonie's age, we can find Jack's age:
\( J = M + 4 = 12 + 4 = 16 \)

So, Jack is 16 years old and Malonie is 12 years old.

Thus, their ages are: Let \( J = 16 \) (Jack's age)
Let \( M = 12 \) (Malonie's age)