human
Tom and Devin have been teaching for a total of 70 years. Devin has been teaching for 5 less than half the number of years that Tom has. How many years has Tom been teaching?
assistant
Define a variable ** Let x be the number of years Tom has been teaching
How many years has Devin been teaching? ** Devin has been teaching for (1/2)x-5 years
Set up an equation ** 70=x+((1/2)x-5)
Combine like terms ** 70=(3/2)x-5
Add 5 to both sides ** 75=(3/2)x
Multiply both sides by (2/3) ** x=<<50=50>>50
How many years has Tom been teaching? ** Tom has been teaching for 50 years
#### 50