document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=208361>Question 208361</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Five years ago, John's age was half of the age he will be in 8 years.  How old is he now? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #157671 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Theo><B>Theo(13342)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Theo><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Theo><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=157671\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> let x be john's age now.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "five years ago, john's age was x-5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "eight years from now, john's age will be x+8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Five years ago, John's age was half of the age he will be in 8 years.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "this means that (x-5) = (x+8)/2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "solving for x, we get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2 * (x-5) = x + 8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "which becomes:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x - 10 = x + 8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "which becomes:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 18<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "john is 18 years old now.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "5 years ago john was 13<BR>\n" );
document.write( "8 years from now john will be 26<BR>\n" );
document.write( "13 = 1/2 * 26<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-----<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );