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.