If Leah is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is Sue? How do you know what and, is, and older mean in mathematical terms?

2 answers

Since Leah is mentioned twice, let's define her age as x yrs.
then Sue is x-6
and John is x+5

so x + x-6 + x+5 = 41
3x = 42
x = 14

Leah is 14
Sue is 8
John is 19
s + s + 6 + s + 11 = 41

3s + 17 = 41

3s = 41 - 17
3s = 24
s = 8

Sue is 8
Leah is 14
John is 19