document.write( "Question 104495: Three years ago, Milcah is 3 times older than Joshua. 4 years from now, Milcah is 8 years older than Joshua. Find Joshua's and Milcah's age. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #76162 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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Three years ago, Milcah is 3 times older than Joshua. 4 years from now, Milcah is 8 years older than Joshua. Find Joshua's and Milcah's age.
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "M = M's age now
\n" ); document.write( "J = J's age now
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Write what it says:
\n" ); document.write( "\"Three years ago, Milcah is 3 times older than Joshua.\"
\n" ); document.write( "(M-3) = 3(J-3)
\n" ); document.write( "M - 3 = 3J - 9; multiplied what's inside the brackets
\n" ); document.write( "M = 3J - 9 + 3
\n" ); document.write( "M = (3J-6)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "\"4 years from now, Milcah is 8 years older than Joshua.\"
\n" ); document.write( "M+4 = (J+4) + 8
\n" ); document.write( "M + 4 = J + 12
\n" ); document.write( "M = J + 12 - 4
\n" ); document.write( "M = J + 8
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Find Joshua's and Milcah's age.
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute (3J-6) for M in the above equation:
\n" ); document.write( "3J - 6 = J + 8
\n" ); document.write( "3J - J = 8 + 6
\n" ); document.write( "2J = 14
\n" ); document.write( "J = 14/2
\n" ); document.write( "J = 7 yrs; J's age now
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Find M:
\n" ); document.write( "M = J + 8
\n" ); document.write( "M = 7 + 8
\n" ); document.write( "M = 15 yrs; M's age now
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Check solution using the statement:
\n" ); document.write( "\"Three years ago, Milcah is 3 times older than Joshua.\"
\n" ); document.write( "(15-3) = 3(7-3)
\n" ); document.write( " 12 = 3(4); confirms our solution \n" ); document.write( "
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