document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=37657>Question 37657</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201812487/algebrahomeworkh></A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Zelma is eighteen years older than her son. She was three times as old as he was one year ago. How old are they now? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #23269 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=junior403><B>junior403(76)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-08.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=junior403><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=23269\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Zelma (z) is eighteen years older than her son (s + 18)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "She was three times as old as he was one year ago. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 3(s)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So lets put this problem together in an equation.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "In terms of Zelma.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "She is 18 years older than her son AND 3 times his age last year.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So lets solve it for last year because this year she is still  18 years older than him.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "s + 18 = 3(s)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "subtract the s term from both sides...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "18 = 2(s)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "then divide both sides by 2...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "9 = s<BR>\n" );
document.write( "so last year the son was 9.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "and Zelma was (9 + 18) = 27<BR>\n" );
document.write( "18 years and 3 times older than her son.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "How old are they now?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "This year the son is 10.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "and zelma is 28.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "18 years older than her son.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Good Luck!<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Thanks for the question! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );