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

Celeste is 30 and Beth is 25

let x be Celeste's age now then Beth is x - 5

next year they will be 1 year older

Celeste's age will be x + 1 and Beth will be x - 5 + 1 = x - 4

the sum of their ages is therefore

x + 1 + x - 4 = 57

2x - 3 = 57 (add 3 to both sides)

2x = 60 (divide both sides by 2)

x = 30

Celeste is 30 and Beth is 30 - 5 = 25