Answer :
So,
We'll solve it with only one placeholder, since that's simpler.
Jim's age = J
Carla's age = C
Tommy's age = T
J = base
Carla's age = J + 5
Tommy's age = Carla's age + 6 or J + 5 + 6 or J + 11
Sum of ages = 31
(J) + (J + 5) + (J + 11) = 31
3J + 16 = 31
Subtract 16 from both sides
3J = 15
Divide both sides by 3
J = 5
Carla's age = J + 5
Carla's age = 10
Tommy's age = Carla's age + 6
Tommy's age = 10 + 6 or 16
5 + 10 + 16 = 31
15 + 16 = 31
31 = 31 This checks.
Jim is 5.
Carla is 10.
Tommy is 16.
We'll solve it with only one placeholder, since that's simpler.
Jim's age = J
Carla's age = C
Tommy's age = T
J = base
Carla's age = J + 5
Tommy's age = Carla's age + 6 or J + 5 + 6 or J + 11
Sum of ages = 31
(J) + (J + 5) + (J + 11) = 31
3J + 16 = 31
Subtract 16 from both sides
3J = 15
Divide both sides by 3
J = 5
Carla's age = J + 5
Carla's age = 10
Tommy's age = Carla's age + 6
Tommy's age = 10 + 6 or 16
5 + 10 + 16 = 31
15 + 16 = 31
31 = 31 This checks.
Jim is 5.
Carla is 10.
Tommy is 16.
lets
Jim x years old
Carla (x+5) years old
Tommy (x+5)+6 years old
sum is x+(x+5)+(x+5)+6=31 years old
3x+16=31
3x=15
x=5 - age of Jim
x+5=5+5=10 - age of Carla
x+5+6=16 - age of Tommy
Answer: 5, 10 and 16 y.o
Jim x years old
Carla (x+5) years old
Tommy (x+5)+6 years old
sum is x+(x+5)+(x+5)+6=31 years old
3x+16=31
3x=15
x=5 - age of Jim
x+5=5+5=10 - age of Carla
x+5+6=16 - age of Tommy
Answer: 5, 10 and 16 y.o