SOLUTION: Marie is 4 years younger than James, if the product of their ages 5 years ago is 45. What are their ages now?

Question 499515: Marie is 4 years younger than James, if the product of their ages 5 years ago is 45. What are their ages now?

Answer by Maths68(1474) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let
Present age of Marie = m
Present age of James = j
Marie is 4 years younger than James, means if we subtract 4 from James age both will be of equal age
m=j-4 .........(1)
5 years ago means we have to subtract 5 from their present ages
m-5=j-5
then
the product of their ages was 45
(m-5)*(j-5)=45
mj-5m-5j+25=45
mj-5m-5j=45-25
mj-5m-5j=20 ...........(2)
Put the value of m from (1) to (2)
(j-4)j-5(j-4)-5j=20
j^2-4j-5j+20-5j=20
j^2-14j+20=20
j^2-14j=20-20
j^2-14j=0
j(j-14)=0
Divide by j both sides of above equation
j(j-14)/j=0/j
j-14=0
j=14
Put the value of j in (1)
m=j-4 .........(1)
m=14-4
m=10
Present age of Marie = 10
Present age of James = 14

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