Max is 5 years older than Pauline. Next year he will be twice as old as she will be. How old is each now?

Answer 1

In one variable Pauline is x, while Max is x +5
One year later
Pauline is x + 1 while Max is x + 5 + 1
But he will be twice as old as she will be, so you multiply her future age by 2 to get it up to his age
2(x + 1) = x + 5 + 1
Solve for x and you have Pauline's age : )