What is the product of Gary and his brother's ages if the sum of Gary's age and his brother's age is 34 and the difference between their ages is 4?

Answer 1

34 (the sum) divided by 2 (people) = 17

Now, account for the "4" difference, while maintaining the sum of 34.

In other words, add "1" to one age, while subtracting "1" from the other until the difference is "4".

19 + 15 = 34

19 - 15 = 4

However, the question is asking for the product of the ages.

19 x 15 = 285.

285