Write an equation for ben is 5 years older than john. the sum of john's age and twice ben's age equals 46. how old is john?

X represents John's age

Ben = x+5

John = x

x+2 (x+5) = 46

use the distributive property for 2 (x+5)

x+2x+10=46

combine like terms

3x+10=46

subtract 10 from each side

3x=36

divide both sides by 3

x=12

John is 12 years old.