document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=502935>Question 502935</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Maria is three times as old as her brother. In four years, Maria will be twice as old as he will be then. How old is Maria's brother now? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #339047 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Maths68><B>Maths68(1474)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Maths68><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=Maths68><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=339047\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Present age of Maria = m<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Present age of Brother = b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Given<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Maria is three times as old as her brother<BR>\n" );
document.write( "m=3b ..........(1)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "In four years means we have to add 4 in their present ages<BR>\n" );
document.write( "m+4=b+4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "then Maria will be twice as old<BR>\n" );
document.write( "m+4=2(b+4)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "m+4=2b+8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "m=2b+8-4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "m=2b+4 .............(2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Plug in the value of m from (1) to (2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3b=2b+4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3b-2b=4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b=4\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Brother is 4 years old\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );