Theresa has two brothers, Paul and Steve, who are both the same height. Paul says he is 16 inches shorter than 1 1/2 times Theresa's height. Steve says he's 6 inches shorter than 1 1/3 times Theresa's height. If they're both right, how tall is Theresa?

P=paul's height

s=steve's height

t=theresa's height

p=s

1 and 1/2=3/2

1 and 1/3=4/3

p=-16 + (3/2) t

s=-6 + (4/3) t

p=s so

-16 + (3/2) t=-6 + (4/3) t

add 6 to both sides

-10 + (3/2) t = (4/3) t

times both sides by 6 to clear fractions

-60+9t=8t

minus 9t both sides

-60=-t

times - 1

60=t

t=60

theresa is 60 inches or 5ft

steve and paul are 84 inches or 7ft (wow!)