SOLUTION: James is 4 years older than Paul. In two years,their ages will total 50.How old is James now?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: James is 4 years older than Paul. In two years,their ages will total 50.How old is James now?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 1015967: James is 4 years older than Paul. In two years,their ages will total 50.How old is James now?
Answer by fractalier(6550) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Call their ages NOW, j and p. Then we have
j = p + 4
In two years,
j+2 + p+2 = 50
Now substitute the first into the second and get
p+4+2 + p+2 = 50
2p + 8 = 50
2p = 42
p = 21
and j = p + 4 = 25
James is 25 now.