Jan Is Twice As Old As Jake. The Sum Of Their Ages Is 5 Times Jake's Age Less 48. How Old Are Jan And Jake?

Let us say that Jake's age = x. This will help make it easier to do it algebraically.

So Jan is twice as old as Jake. Therefore, Jan's age = 2x.

The sum of their ages is 5 times Jake's age less 48.
Soo... 2x + x = 5x - 48

Now we solve for x.

2x + x = 5x - 48
3x = 5x - 48 (added like terms)
48 = 2x (isolated x on one side)
24 = x

Now Jake's age = x right? So Jake is 24 years old.
Jan is twice as old as Jake. So 2x=2(24)=48. Jan is 48 years old.