Answer:
12 years old
Step-by-step explanation:
m = Michael
a = Margaret
m = 3a
m+6 = 2(a+6)
m+6 = 2a+12
Two equations, two unknowns, so we can use substitution.
3a+6 = 2a+12
a+6 = 12
a = 6
Plug it back in.
m = 3(6)
m = 18
When Michael was 18, Margaret was 6. So when she was born (basically when she was 0) Michael was 18-6 = 12.
Answer:
Michael was 12 years old when Margaret was born.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let Michael be x and Margaret be y.
x=3y
x+6 (years) = 2(6+y) --> x+6=12+2y --> x=6+2y
Now that we have x, substitute x=3y:
6+2y=3y --> y=6
Now we have y, substitute again with x=3(6) --> x=18
So, Michael, x, is 18 years old. Margaret, y, is 6 years old. But, to find how old Michael was when Margaret was born, do 18 (Michael's age)-6 (Margaret's age) to get 12. So, Michael was 12 years old when Margaret was born. Hope that helped, sorry if I missed something... :D
