document.write( "Question 1139288: Please help me solve this: Lawrence has a daughter, Janet. Five years ago, he was 4 times as old as Janet. Two years from now, he
\n" ); document.write( "will be three times as old as Janet. How old is Lawrence now? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #757079 by math_helper(2461) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!


\n" );
document.write( "L = Lawrence's age
\n" );
document.write( "J = Janet's age
\r
\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "L - 4 = 4 (J - 4)    four years ago
\n" );
document.write( "L + 2 = 3 (J + 2)    two years from now\r
\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "L = 4J-12
\n" );
document.write( "L = 3J+4\r
\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Subtracting bottom eq from top eq:
\n" );
document.write( "0 = J+8 ==>  J=16  ==> L=52\r
\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Ans:  Lawrence is 52\r
\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Check:  Four years ago: Lawrence was 48, Janet was 12,  48=4*12  (ok)
\n" );
document.write( "        Two years from now: Lawrence will be 54, Janet will be 18,  54=3*18 (ok)\r
\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( " \n" );
document.write( "

\n" );