The age of a tortoise is 52 years more than the combined age of two elephants. In 10 years, the tortoise will be twice as old as the two elephants combined. How old is the tortoise now?
T==Tortoise, E==Elephants
T ==E + 52..............................(1)
T + 10 ==2[E + 10 + 10]...........(2), solve for E, T
{Note: the 2 elephants will have aged 10 EACH !}
Use substitution to get:
T==74 years old
E==22 years - combined age of the 2 elephants.
Check: 74 + 10 ==84 years - 10 years from now [it will be twice as old as 2 elephants combined]
22 + 10 + 10 ==42 years - combined age of the 2 elephants.
