Question

Mr. Gilliam is 3 years younger than his wife. The sum of their ages is 95. How old is Mr. Gilliam?

Answer 1

I'll try to explain in the simplest way possible (hopefully :P)

Explanation:

Let's make Mr Gilliam's age `g` and his wife's age `w`.
From your question, we can understand that `g` is 3 less than `w`.

In equation form, this can be written as:
`g+3=w`
or
`g=w-3`

So far so clear?
Next, we know that the sum of `g` and `w` is 95.

In equation form, this will be written as:
`g+w=95`

Now, here's the trick. You need a change in perspective.
We know that `g+3=w` and `g+w=95`, right?

Therefore, `g+w=95` can also be written as `g+(g+3)=95`.
Does that make sense?

If it does, then the equation will become:
`2g+3=95` (because you had two `g`s)

After shifting the numbers around a little as below, you will arrive at the answer:
`2g+3-3=95-3`
`2g=92`
`(2g)/2=92/2`
`g=46`

Therefore, Mr. Gilliam is 46 years old. I hope this helps!