document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=276430>Question 276430</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Shelly is three years older than Michele. Four years ago the sum of their ages was 67. Find the age of the person now. Can you give me a basic formula to solving most Age Word Problems.  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #201446 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=201446\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Shelly is three years older than Michele. Four years ago the sum of their ages was 67. Find the age of the person now. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "----------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Equation:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S = M+3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(S-4)+(M-4) = 67<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Modify the 2nd equation:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S + M = 67+8 = 75<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Substitute for \"S\" and solve for \"M\":<BR>\n" );
document.write( "M+3 + M = 75<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2M = 72<BR>\n" );
document.write( "M = 36 (Michele's age now)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Since S = M+3, S = 39 (Shelly's age  now)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "=============================================<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );