Three brothers

The three brothers have a total of 42 years. Jan is five years younger than Peter, and Peter is two years younger than Michael. How many years has each of them?

Final Answer:

J =  10
M =  17
P =  15

Step-by-step explanation:


J+P+M = 42
J = P-5
P = M-2

J+M+P = 42
J-P = -5
M-P = 2

Row 2 - Row 1 → Row 2
J+M+P = 42
-M-2P = -47
M-P = 2

Row 3 + Row 2 → Row 3
J+M+P = 42
-M-2P = -47
-3P = -45


P = -45/-3 = 15
M = -47+2P/-1 = -47+2 · 15/-1 = 17
J = 42-M-P = 42-17-15 = 10

J = 10
M = 17
P = 15

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