SOLUTION: Betty is now three times as old as mike, but in five years she will be only twice as old as mike. How old is Mike right now? It will be greatly appreciated if you can solve the

Question 411973: Betty is now three times as old as mike, but in five years she will be only twice as old as mike. How old is Mike right now?
It will be greatly appreciated if you can solve the question and show steps as well. THANK YOU!
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let b = B's present age
Let m = M's present age
:
Write an equation for each statement:
:
"Betty is now three times as old as mike,"
b = 3m
:
"but in five years she will be only twice as old as mike." (5yrs added to both ages)
b + 5 = 2(m + 5)
b + 5 = 2m + 10
b = 2m + 10 - 5
b = 2m + 5
from the 1st statement, we know b = 3m, replace b with 3m in the above equation
3m = 2m + 5
3m - 2m = 5
m = 5 yrs is M's present age
:
:
To check our solution, find B's age 3(5)=15 is B's present age
Use these values in the statement:
"in five years she will be only twice as old as mike. "
15 + 5 = 2(5+5)confirms our solution of m=5
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