SOLUTION: Miguel is now twice as old as Pauline. Five years ago Miguel was three times as old as Pauline. Find their present ages.

Question 985183: Miguel is now twice as old as Pauline. Five years ago Miguel was three times as old as Pauline. Find their present ages.

Answer by ikleyn(52795) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let x be the Pauline's present age.

Then the Miguel's present age is 2x, in accordance with the condition.

Five years ago Miguel's age was (2x-5) and Pauline's age was (x-5).

In accordance with the condition, you have an equation

2x-5 = 3*(x-5).

Solve it step by step:

2x - 5 = 3x - 15,
-5 + 15 = 3x - 2x,
10 = x.

Thus Pauline's present age is 10 years.
Hence, Miguel's present age is 2*10 = 20 years.

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