document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1058736>Question 1058736</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The sum of the present ages of Tahir and Masud is 18 years. Three years ago Tahir was three times as old as Masud. Find their present ages? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #673832 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=addingup><B>addingup(3677)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=addingup><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=addingup><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=673832\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> T+M = 18; T = 18-M<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T-3 = 3(M-3)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T-3 = 3M-9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "18-M-3 = 3M-9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "15-M = 3M-9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-4M = -24 divide both sides by -4, and remember -/- = +<BR>\n" );
document.write( "M = 6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now solve for T:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T-3 = 3*(6-3)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T-3 = 9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T = 12 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "------------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Check:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "6+12 = 18 Correct<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Note: You can also solve for T:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T+M = 18; T+6 = 18; T = 12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "and then check by substituting in<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T-3 = 3(M-3); 12-3 = 3(6-3); 9 = 9 Correct </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );