Melissa is four times as old as Jim. Pat is 5 years older than Melissa. If Jim is y years old, how old is Pat?
Start along with Jim's age, y, because he appears to be the youngest. Melissa is four times as old as he is, so her age is 4y. Pat is 5 years older than Melissa, so Pat's age would be Melissa's age, 4y, plus another 5 years. Therefore, 4y + 5.