document.write( "Question 508964: The Smith Brothers ages multiplied together give the answer 2184. Tom is 1 year older than john. Michael is 1 year older than Tom. How old are they? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #341208 by swincher4391(1107)\"\" \"About 
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Let John's age be j. Tom be t And Michael be m.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "j+1 = t Since Tom is 1 year older than John
\n" ); document.write( "t+1 = m Since Michael is 1 year older than Tom.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Solve for t in the 2nd to get t = m-1\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Then j+1 = m-1\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So j+2 = m\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So we have j, j+1, j+2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Then j(j+1)(j+2) = 2184\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "j^3 + 3j^2 + 2j = 2184\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "j^3 + 3j^2 + 2j -2184 = 0\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "We get two complex answers and one real one... that being j = 12.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So John is 12.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Tom is 13.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Michael is 14.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Check:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "12*13*14 = 2184 Yes.\r
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