Question

Shelly is 3 years older than Michelle. Four years ago, the sum of their ages was 67. Find the age of each person now

Answer 1

S = 3+M

4(S + M) = 67
4(3+M + M) = 67
4(3+2M) = 67
12 + 8M = 67
8M = 55
M = 6 years 10 months 14 days @ 6.875 years

S = 3 + 6.875
S = 9 years 10 months 14 days

Answer 2

You'd set the equation up as such: 3+M +M = 71 (I got 71 because the age increased by 4 years which means it increased 4 more than 67). You'd combine like terms - 2M +3 = 71, subtract both sides by 3 thus equally 2M=68, then divide both sides by 2, equally M = 34. Plug Michelle's age in at 34 and then Shelly is 3 years older at 37.