document.write( "Question 504093: This one is stumping me.. I can't figure out how it comes out to be 16 and 32. Can someone show me the steps to get there? Thank you.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Jack is twice as old as Lacy. In 3 years the sum of the ages will be 54. How old are they now?
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Algebra.Com's Answer #339506 by oberobic(2304)\"\" \"About 
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J = Jack's current age
\n" ); document.write( "L = Lacey's current age
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\n" ); document.write( "Jack is twice as old as Lacey.
\n" ); document.write( "J = 2L
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\n" ); document.write( "In three years...
\n" ); document.write( "Jack will be J+3 years old, and
\n" ); document.write( "Lacey will be L+3 years old
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\n" ); document.write( "...the sum of their ages will be 54.
\n" ); document.write( "(J+3)+(L+3) = 54
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\n" ); document.write( "collect and simplify
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\n" ); document.write( "J + L + 6 = 54
\n" ); document.write( "J + L = 48 (which is the sum of their current ages)
\n" ); document.write( "so,
\n" ); document.write( "J = 48-L
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\n" ); document.write( "We know equals are equal, so we can substitute:
\n" ); document.write( "L = L, so
\n" ); document.write( "2L = 48-L
\n" ); document.write( "3L = 48
\n" ); document.write( "L = 16
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\n" ); document.write( "Use that to find J.
\n" ); document.write( "J = 2L
\n" ); document.write( "J = 32
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\n" ); document.write( "Check using the other facts given.
\n" ); document.write( "J+3 = 35
\n" ); document.write( "L+3 = 19
\n" ); document.write( "35 + 19 = 54
\n" ); document.write( "Correct.
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\n" ); document.write( "Answer: Jack is 32, and Lacey is 16.
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\n" ); document.write( "Done.
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