document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=696359>Question 696359</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Steve is two thirds as old as Alex. In seven years, Steve will be three fourths as old as Alex. 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 #429021 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><B>ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><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=ankor@dixie-net.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=429021\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Steve is two thirds as old as Alex.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " In seven years, Steve will be three fourths as old as Alex.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " How old are they now?<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "let s = Steve's present age<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let a = Alex's age<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Write an equation for each statement<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "\"Steve is two thirds as old as Alex.\"<BR>\n" );
document.write( "s = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >a<BR>\n" );
document.write( "get rid of the fraction, mult both side by 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3s = 2a<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3s - 2a = 0<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "\" In seven years, Steve will be three fourths as old as Alex.\"<BR>\n" );
document.write( "s + 7 = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >(a+7)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "mult both sides by 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4(s+7) = 3(a + 7)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4s + 28 = 3a + 21<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4s - 3a = 21 - 28<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4s - 3a = -7<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Use elimination here, mult the 1st equation by 3, the 2nd equation by 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "9s - 6s = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "8s - 6a = -14<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---------------subtraction eliminates a, find s<BR>\n" );
document.write( "s = 14 yrs is Steve's age<BR>\n" );
document.write( "then<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3(14) - 2(a) = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "42 - 2a = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-2a = -42<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 21 yrs is Alex's age<BR>\n" );
document.write( ";<BR>\n" );
document.write( ":<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Confirm this in the statement:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\"In seven years, Steve will be three fourths as old as Alex.\"<BR>\n" );
document.write( "14 + 7 = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >(21+7)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "21 = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >(28) </SPAN>\n" );
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