document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=802669>Question 802669</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> John is twice as old as his daughter.  In four years he will be three times what his daughter's age was three years ago.  How old are they both right now?\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "I think I have the correct idea of how to set up my equations with my variables, but the three years ago is messing me up.  Thank you. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #483969 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=htmentor><B>htmentor(1343)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=htmentor><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=htmentor><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=483969\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let J = John's age now<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let D = his daughter's age now<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So right now J = 2D<BR>\n" );
document.write( "In 4 years John will be J+4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "His daughter's age 3 years ago is D-3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The equation is<BR>\n" );
document.write( "J+4 = 3(D-3) [John 4 years from now is 3 times his daughter 3 years ago]<BR>\n" );
document.write( "But since J = 2D, we have<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2D + 4 = 3(D - 3)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Solve for D:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2D + 4 = 3D - 9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "This gives D = 13<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So right now, daughter is 13 and John is 26.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );