Brian is 2 years older than Malachy. Caroline is 8 years younger than Malachy. If the total of their ages is 66, how old is the eldest of them?

The eldest of them is Brian and he is 24 + 2 = 26 years old.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let

Malachy age = a

Brian age = a + 2

Caroline age = a - 8

Total of their age = a + (a + 2) + (a - 8)

66 = a + (a + 2) + (a - 8)

collect like terms

66 = a + a + 2 + a - 8

66 = a + a + a - 6

3a = 66 + 6

3a = 72

divide both sides by 3

a = 72/3

a = 24

Malachy age is 24. Caroline is 24 - 8 = 16 years old.

The eldest of them is Brian and he is 24 + 2 = 26 years old.