Joan & Ambers combined age is 44. Amber is 2 years less than twice Joan's age. What are their ages?

Answer 1

J + A = 44
J = 44 - A
A - 2 = 2 * J
A - 2 = 2 * (44 - A)
A - 2 = 88 - 2A
3A = 90
A = 30
J = 44 - A
J = 14
Amber is 30 and Joan is 14

Cheers!

Answer 2

Let x be Joan's age

2 years less than twice Joan's age can be represented as:
2(x -2) = Amber's age (or 2x -4)

Based on the data given, the equation can be expressed as:
x + 2x - 4 = 44

Combine similar terms:
3x - 4 = 44

Add 4 to both side of the equation:
3x = 48

Divide both sides of the equation by 3:
x = 16 (Joan's age)

Therefore, Amber's age would be:
2(x-2) = 28

The sum of their ages is 44 (16 + 28)

Answer 3

Let j be joans age and a be ambers age. Then the problem tells you how to set up the equations.
a=2j - 2 (ambers age is 2 years less than twice joans age)
a + j = 44 (their combined age is 44)
Now we re-arrange the first one to gt it into 'standard form' and we have
a - 2j = -2
a + j = 44
and you should be able to take it from there.

Doug