SOLUTION: I am really struggling with this problem that I have for homework. Could you help me finish the problem? In three years, Margaret will be four years more than twice as old as N

Question 232570: I am really struggling with this problem that I have for homework. Could you help me finish the problem?
In three years, Margaret will be four years more than twice as old as Nancy will be. Nancy is eight years younger than Margaret. How old is each one now?
I have started the problem:
M+3= 2(N+3+4) = M+3 = 2N+6+8=M+3 = 2N+14= M-8=N
I am unsure what to do next. Could you help me out?
Answer by ptaylor(2198) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
OK. YOU HAVE GIVEN IT A GOOD SHOT BUT YOU DON'T NEED TWO UNKNOWNS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. TRY TO FOLLOW MY APPROACH:
Let M=Margaret's age now
So M-8=Nancy's age now
M+3=Margaret's age in 3 years
And M-8+3=M-5=Nancy's age in 3 years
Twice Nancy's age in three years=2(M-5)
So, our equation to solve is:
M+3=2(M-5)+4 get rid of parens
M+3=2M-10+4 or
M+3=2M-6 add 6 to and subtract M from both sides
M-M+3+6=2M-M-6+6 collect like terms
9=M or
M=9-----------------Margaret's age now
M-8=9-8=1-------------Nancy's age now
CK
Nancy is 8 years younger than Margaret 9-1=8 ---OK
Margaret's age in 3 years=9+3=12
Nancy's age in three years=1+3=4
And 12=4*2+4------------OK
Hope this helps---ptaylor

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