SOLUTION: John is now four times as old as James. In 5 years, John will be three times as old as James. Find their present ages.

Question 776241: John is now four times as old as James. In 5 years, John will be three times as old as James. Find their present ages.
Answer by Cromlix(4381) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
John is now four times as old as James.
John's age = 4 x James' age
Jo = 4Ja
In 5 years, John will be three times as old as James.
John + 5 = 3(James + 5)
Jo + 5 = 3Ja + 15
Replace Jo with 4Ja from first equation
4Ja + 5 = 3Ja + 15
Collect like terms.
4Ja - 3Ja = 15 - 5
Ja = 10.
Present ages:
John is 40 years old
James is 10 years old.
Hope this helps.
:-)

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