Hi,

Let x be ben's age now and y represent larry's age now.

y - 3 =2(x -3)=2x - 6  3 years ago, larry was twice as old as ben

y + 3 =(3/2)(x + 3)=(3/2)x + (9/2) three years from now he will be 1 1/2 times as old as ben

y - 3 =2x - 6

y + 3 =(3/2)x + (9/2)

Solving for x by eliminating y

y - 3 =2x - 6

-y - 3 =-(3/2)x - (9/2) subtracting second equation from the first

-6 = x/2 - 21/2

9/2 = x/2

9 = x, ben's age now.

Substituting for x to solve for y, larry's age now

y - 3 = 2x - 6

y = 2x -3

y =2*9 - 3 = 15, larry's age now



checking our answer

3 years ago, larry was twice as old as ben

12 = 2*6 

RELATED QUESTIONS

Ben is three times as old as his sister was two years ago.  In 1 year from now Ben will... (answered by Paul)

Ben is twice as old as mike.three years ago,he was three times as old as mike. how old is  (answered by nshah11)

Ben is 20 years older than Daniel. Ben and Daniel first met two years ago. Three years... (answered by josgarithmetic)

Ben is three times as old as Carl now. In two years time, Ben will be twice as old as... (answered by jorel1380)

Ben is three times as old as carl now. In two years time ben will be twice as old as carl  (answered by greenestamps)

Ben is 20 years older than Daniel. Ben and Daniel first met two years ago. Three years... (answered by ikleyn)

Ben is 20 years older than Daniel. Ben and Daniel first met two years ago. Three years... (answered by ikleyn)

Ben is 4 times as old as Ishaan. 6 years ago, Ben was 6 times as old as Ishaan. How old... (answered by Fombitz)

 Ben is four times as old as Isaac. Six years ago, when was six times as old as Isaac.... (answered by stanbon,josgarithmetic)