The sum of the ages of Monica and her mother is 70. Monica is 4 less than 1/2 her mother's age. Find their ages.

I've been trying to do this for the past 20 minutes. I think the question is wrong, but try for yourself. Help please!

2 answers

monica = m
mother = M

m+M = 70
m = 1/2 M - 4

m = 62/3
M = 148/3

while the solution is algebraically correct, it is a bit unusual for the typical age problem. There may well be a mistake in the question.

If their sum is 71, then the ages are 21 and 50.
But the problem says the sum of the ages is 70. And yeah, it is what you could call "unusual." It's really confusing.
I think that maybe the question was just typed wrong, and I'm going to ask about it on Tuesday. Thanks for the help, though! At least I know how to do the equation, at least.