Wilson is 6 years older than Mary. Wilson's age is 10 years less than five times Mary's age. The equations below model the relationship between Wilson's age (w) and Mary's age (m):

w = m + 6

w = 5m - 10

Which is a possible correct method to find Wilson's and Mary's ages?

Wilson is 6 older than mary

w=6+m

wilson is 10 less than 5 times mary

w=-10+5m

w=5m-10

so now we set them eqal to each other since both equal w

m+6=w=5m-10

m+6=5m-10

minus m both sides

6=4m-10

add 10 to both sides

16=4m

divide both sides by 4

4=m

sub back

w=m+6

w=4+6

w=10

wilson=10

mary=4

the correct method is math

You can use substitution to find the solution.

Lets start by solving for m in the first equation.

w - 6 = m + 6 - 6 this leaves it as an equation of m

Now we can put this in place of m in the second equation.

w = 5 (w - 6) - 10

w = 5w - 30 - 10

w = 5w - 40

w - 5w = - 40

-4w = - 40

-4w/-4 = - 40/-4

w = 10

So now you put 10 in place of w.

10 - 6 = m + 6 - 6

4 = m

Mary is 4 and Wilson is 10

Put these in place of m and w in the other equation as well to double check.

10 + 10 = 5 (4) - 10 + 10

20 = 20

So this is correct