document.write( "Question 791781: three years ago, the sum of the ages of marlon and carol was 26. the difference between their ages 2 years from now will be 4. find marlons and carols present ages. assume that marlon is older than carol. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #479749 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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let m = M's present age
\n" ); document.write( "let c = C's present age
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Write an equation and simplify it, for each statement.
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "\"three years ago, the sum of the ages of marlon and carol was 26.\"
\n" ); document.write( "(m-3) + (c-3) = 26
\n" ); document.write( "m + c - 6 = 26
\n" ); document.write( "m + c = 26 + 6
\n" ); document.write( "m + c = 32
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "\"the difference between their ages 2 years from now will be 4.\"
\n" ); document.write( "(m+2) - (c+2) = 4
\n" ); document.write( "m - c + 2 - 2 = 4
\n" ); document.write( "m - c = 4
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Add the two equation
\n" ); document.write( "m - c = 4
\n" ); document.write( "m + c = 32
\n" ); document.write( "------------adding eliminates c, find m
\n" ); document.write( "2m = 36
\n" ); document.write( "m = 36/2
\n" ); document.write( "m = 18 yrs is M's age
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "I'll let you find C's age; check the solutions in both statements \n" ); document.write( "
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