Simon is nine years older than Jairus. Simon is four times as old as Joter was three years ago. Joter is eighteen years younger than Marshall. How old is Jairus?
The choices are as follow:
10 / 12 / 19 / 28 / None of the above
I can solve age problems up to three variables, but this problem involves 4 variables which makes it pretty difficult for me to understand. Plus, I think some information is lacking like the description of Marshall's age. Please help me construe this problem.
PS I am college student struggling with word problems in general.
Let $S$, $R$, $T$, and $M$ represent the ages (in years) of Simon, Jairus, Joter, and Marshall, respectively.
The first statement can be expressed as $S=R+9$.
The second statement is $S=4(T-3)$.
The third statement is $T=M-18$.
You are given three linear equations in four unknowns. Without any other assumptions, it seems that there are an infinite number of possible solutions. I assume there is an error in the statement of the problem.