SOLUTION: Your dad is 34 years older than your brother. Five years ago, your dad was three times as old as your brother. How old are they now? What I know already: x-y = 34

Question 200189: Your dad is 34 years older than your brother. Five years ago, your dad was three times as old as your brother. How old are they now?
What I know already:
x-y = 34
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let
x=your dad's age (right now)
y=your brother's age (right now)

so this means that
x-5=your dad's age 5 years ago
y-5=your brother's age 5 years ago

Since "Your dad is 34 years older than your brother", this means that which can be rewritten as . So our first equation is

Also, because "Five years ago, your dad was three times as old as your brother", we know that

Start with the given equation.

Distribute

Add 5 to both sides.

Subtract 3y from both sides.

Combine like terms.

So our second equation is

So you just need to solve the system

to find x and y. I'll let you do that.

If you have any questions, email me at jim_thompson5910@hotmail.com.
Check out my website if you are interested in tutoring.
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