document.write( "Question 556012: bill is 4 times as old as john.five year ago the sum of their ages was 50 how old are they now \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #362019 by TutorDelphia(193)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
bill is 4 times as old as john
\n" ); document.write( "b=4j
\n" ); document.write( "Five years ago bill was b-5 and john was j-5 (if bill is 48 now, he was 43, 5 years ago)
\n" ); document.write( "(b-5)+(j-5)=50
\n" ); document.write( "combine like terms
\n" ); document.write( "b+j-10=50
\n" ); document.write( "add 10 to both sides
\n" ); document.write( "b+j=60
\n" ); document.write( "sub in 4j for b
\n" ); document.write( "4j+j=60
\n" ); document.write( "combine like terms
\n" ); document.write( "5j=60
\n" ); document.write( "divide by 5
\n" ); document.write( "j=12
\n" ); document.write( "plug in 12 for j
\n" ); document.write( "b=48
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );