SOLUTION: In four years time a mother will be three times as old as her son. Four years go she was five times as old as her son. Find their present ages.

Question 122603: In four years time a mother will be three times as old as her son. Four years go she was five times as old as her son. Find their present ages.
Answer by oscargut(2103) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let M= present age of the mother and S= present age of the son
In four years time a mother will be three times as old as her son
so (M+4)=3(S+4)
Four years ago she was five times as old as her son.
so (M-4)=5(S-4)
if you simplify the equations:
M+4=3S+12
M-4=5S-20
M-3S=8
M-5S=-16
so substracting 2S=24 so S=12 using first equation
M-3S=8 then M-36=8 and M=44
R: M=44 and S=18

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