document.write( "Question 723796: Eighteen years ago, Benjamin was eight more than one-third as old as Jessica. Today, Jessica is twenty less than two times the age of Benjamin. How old is Jessica? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #443551 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Let b = B's present age
\n" ); document.write( "Let j = J's present age
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\n" ); document.write( "Write an equation for each statement:
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\n" ); document.write( "Eighteen years ago, Benjamin was eight more than one-third as old as Jessica.
\n" ); document.write( "b - 18 = $\"1%2F3\"$ (j - 18) + 8
\n" ); document.write( "multiply both sides by 3
\n" ); document.write( "3(b-18) = j - 18 + 3(8)
\n" ); document.write( "3b - 54 = j - 18 + 24
\n" ); document.write( "3b = j - 18 + 24 + 54
\n" ); document.write( "3b = j + 60
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\n" ); document.write( "Today, Jessica is twenty less than two times the age of Benjamin.
\n" ); document.write( "j = 2b - 20
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\n" ); document.write( "replace j with (2b-20) in the 1st simplified equation
\n" ); document.write( "3b = (2b-20) + 60
\n" ); document.write( "3b - 2b = 60 - 20
\n" ); document.write( "b = 40 yrs old is B
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\n" ); document.write( "find j
\n" ); document.write( "j = 2(40) - 20
\n" ); document.write( "j = 60 yrs is Jessica's age
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\n" ); document.write( "Check this in the 1st original equation
\n" ); document.write( "40 - 18 = $\"1%2F3\"$ (60 - 18) + 8
\n" ); document.write( "22 = $\"1%2F3\"$ (42) + 8
\n" ); document.write( "22 = 14 + 8\r
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