Since Sean is 26, and is 8 years older than John, then John is 26 - 8, or 18 years-old.

Let years ago that Sean was 3 times John's age, be y

We then get: 26 - y = 3(18 - y)

26 - y = 54 - 3y

- y + 3y = 54 - 26

2y = 28

y, or years ago that Sean was 3 times John's age = 

See how easy that was....nothing COMPLEX or CONFUSING! 

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