SOLUTION: Fred is 4 years older than barney, five years ago the sum of their age was 48, how old are they now, please use F for fred and B for barney, thank you

Question 271038: Fred is 4 years older than barney, five years ago the sum of their age was 48, how old are they now, please use F for fred and B for barney, thank you
Found 3 solutions by Earlsdon, josmiceli, stanbon:
Answer by Earlsdon(6294)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
F = B+4
(F-5)+(B-5) = 48 Substitute F = B+4
(B+4-5)+(b-5) = 48 Simplify.
2B-6 = 48 Add 6 to both sides.
2B = 54 Divide both sides by 2.
B = 27 and...
F = B+4
F = 27+4
F = 31
Answer by josmiceli(19441)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
= Fred's age now
= Barney's age now
= Fred's age 5 years ago
= Barney's age 5 years ago
given:
(1)
(2)
----------------------------
Substitute (1) in (2)
(2)

from (1),

barney is 27 and Fred is 31
check:
(2)
(2)
(2)

OK
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Fred is 4 years older than barney, five years ago the sum of their age was 48, how old are they now, please use F for fred and B for barney,
-----------------
Equations:
F = B + 4
(F-5) + (B-5) = 48
----
F = B + 4
F + B = 58
---
Substitute for "F" and solve for "B":
B+4+B = 58
2B = 54
B = 27 yrs (barney's age now)
---
Since F = B+4, F = 31 yrs (fred's age now)
=============================================
Cheers,
Stan H.
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