document.write( "Question 218429: we are having difficulty setting up equations to solve word problems. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "al is 3/4 as old as ann. six years ago al was 1/2 as old as ann. how old is each now.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "age now: ann's age = x
\n" ); document.write( "al's age = x-.25 \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "age 6years ago:
\n" ); document.write( "ann - x-6
\n" ); document.write( "al - x-.50
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #164527 by Alan3354(69443)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
we are having difficulty setting up equations to solve word problems.
\n" ); document.write( "al is 3/4 as old as ann. six years ago al was 1/2 as old as ann. how old is each now. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "age now: ann's age = x
\n" ); document.write( "al's age = x-.25 *********** It's x - .25x
\n" ); document.write( "age 6years ago:
\n" ); document.write( "ann - x-6
\n" ); document.write( "al - x-.50 ************** Same here, it's x - 0.5x
\n" ); document.write( "----------------------------------------------------
\n" ); document.write( "x = Ann's age now
\n" ); document.write( "y = Al's age now
\n" ); document.write( "y = 0.75x (Now)
\n" ); document.write( "y-6 = 0.5x (6 yrs ago)
\n" ); document.write( "---------------
\n" ); document.write( "Sub for y into 2nd eqn
\n" ); document.write( "0.75x - 6 = 0.5x
\n" ); document.write( "0.25x = 6
\n" ); document.write( "x = 24
\n" ); document.write( "Ann is 24
\n" ); document.write( "Al is 18
\n" ); document.write( "-----------
\n" ); document.write( "It can be done with one variable, but this is straightforward, imo.\r
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