Question

Will is 4 years older than Mike. Together, the sum of their ages equals three times Mike's age. How old is each person?

Answer 1

Mike is 4 and because Will is 4 years older Will is 8.

Explanation:

Let's call Mike's age `M`.

Therefore, because Will is 4 years older than Mike his age can be described as `M + 4`

And "three times Mike's age" can therefore be written as `3M`.

The sum of Mike's and Will's age can be written as

`M + (M + 4)`

And this is equal to `3M` therefore:

`M + (M + 4) = 3M`

Solving for `M` while keeping the equation balanced gives:

`M + M + 4 = 3M`

`2M + 4 = 3M`

`2M + 4 - 2M = 3M - 2M`

`M = 4`