Carol is three times Alice’s age but only twice as old as Betty. Alice is sixteen years younger than Carol. How old is Betty?	Select the correct option
A) 16  B) 19  C) 12  D) 18  E) 24
Beyond the obvious Algebra approach to this question, it can also be solved by TESTing THE ANSWERS.   We're told 3 facts about the relative ages of 3 people:   1) Carol's age is 3 times Alice's age   2) Carol's age is 2 times Betty's age   3) Carol is 16 years older than Alice   We're asked for BETTY'S age.   Since Carol is TWICE Betty's age, Betty is clearly younger than Carol, so we'll TEST a smaller answer first.   IF....   Betty = 12   Then 12arol = 2(12) =24   Then Alice = 24 - 16= 
<gadget id="calculator">24 - 16</gadget>
<output>8</output>
8 AND   24/3= 
<gadget id="calculator">  24/3</gadget>
<output>8</output>
8   All of these values mesh perfectly with the facts and with one another, so Betty MUST be 12   12
<result>C</result>
Carol is three times Alice’s age but only twice as old as Betty. Alice is sixteen years younger than Carol. How old is Betty?