word problem

Question

1. Briana is a certain age.  Carlee is 4 years older than Briana, and Dauna is 3 years older than Carlee.  Together the sum of their ages is 44.

A.  Write an equation that you would use to solve the problem.

B.  Simplify your equation and solve.  Show all work.

C.  Answer the question - What are the ages of Briana, Carlee, and Dauna?  Remember to label your answers.

Answer 1

Let Briana be x years old.
Thus, Carlee is x + 4 years old and Dauna is x + 7 years old.

A)

Since their total age is 44, we have:
x + (x + 4) + (x + 7) = 44

B)

x + (x + 4) + (x + 7) = 44
3x + 11 = 44
3x = 33
x = 33 / 3
x = 11

C)

x = 11
x + 4 = 11 + 4 = 15
x + 7 = 11 + 7 = 18

Hence, Briana is 11 years old, Carlee is 15 years old and Dauna is 18 years old.