document.write( "Question 896733: the sum of the ages of the girl and brother is 26 years. 3 years ago her age was four time the age of her brother. find the present ages of the girl and brother?? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #543757 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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let g = girl's present age
\n" ); document.write( "let b = brother's age
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\n" ); document.write( "Write an equation for each statement
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\n" ); document.write( " the sum of the ages of the girl and brother is 26 years.
\n" ); document.write( "g + b = 26
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\n" ); document.write( " 3 years ago her age was four time the age of her brother.
\n" ); document.write( "g - 3 = 4(b-3)
\n" ); document.write( "g - 3 = 4b - 12
\n" ); document.write( "g = 4b - 12 + 3
\n" ); document.write( "g = 4b - 9
\n" ); document.write( "Arrange equation for elimination
\n" ); document.write( "g - 4b = -9
\n" ); document.write( "Subtract above from the 1st equation
\n" ); document.write( "g + b = 26
\n" ); document.write( "g - 4b = -9
\n" ); document.write( "-------------Subtraction eliminates g, find b
\n" ); document.write( "0 + 5b = 35
\n" ); document.write( "b = 35/5
\n" ); document.write( "b = 7 yrs is brother's present age
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\n" ); document.write( "I'll let you find the girl's age; (g + 7 = 26)
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\n" ); document.write( "Check your solutions in the 2nd statement
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