Question

Max is 7 year older than Sam and the sum of their ages is 27 what are there ages

Answer 1

let the age of Sam be X
thus age of Max is x+7
according to the problem
x+x+7=27
or 2x+7=27
or 2x=27-7
or 2x=20
or x=10
thus age of Sam is 10
age of Max is 17

Answer 2

let  sam' s present age is x 
so max's present age is x+7   

according to the question 

(x+7) + (x) = 27 
2x +7 = 27 
2x = 27-7
2x=20
 x = 10 

therefore max age is 17 and sam age is 10