How old is Beth and Celeste now?

Beth is 5 years younger than Celeste. Next year, their ages will have a sum equal to 57. How old is Beth and Celeste now?

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c = Celeste’s age now
c - 5 = Beth’s age now {Beth is 5 years younger than Celeste}

c + 1 = Celeste’s age next year {added 1 onto current age}
c - 4 = Beth’s age next year {added 1 onto current age}

c + 1 + c - 4 = 57 {next year, their ages will have a sum equal to 57}
2c - 3 = 57 {combined like terms}
2c = 60 {added 3 onto each side}
c = 30 {divided each side by 2}
c - 5 = 25 {substituted 30, in for c, into c - 5}

Celeste is 30 now
Beth is 25 now

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