document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1154724>Question 1154724</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Alex is 3 years older than Sophia. In 9 years the sum of their ages will be 55. How old is Alex now?<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #777202 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><B>jim_thompson5910(35256)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=777202\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <font color=black size=3><BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = Alex's current age<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S = Sophia's current age\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Right now, Alex is 3 years older than Sophia. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "We add 3 years to Sophia's age (S) to get Alex's age (A)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = S+3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "This equation will hold true for past and future ages as well.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let's fast-forward into the future.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A+9 = Alex's age 9 years from now<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S+9 = Sophia's age 9 years from now<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Those two expressions sum to<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(A+9)+(S+9) = A+S+18<BR>\n" );
document.write( "and we are told this is equal to 55<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A+S+18 = 55\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Plug in A = S+3 and solve for S\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "A+S+18 = 55<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S+3+S+18 = 55 ... wherever you see an 'A\", replace with 'S+3'<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2S+21 = 55<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2S+21-21 = 55-21 .... subtract 21 from both sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2S = 34<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2S/2 = 34/2 ... divide both sides by 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S = 17<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Currently, Sophia is 17 years old\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Use her current age to find Alex's current age<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = S+3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = 17+3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = 20\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Answer: Alex is currently <font color=red size=4>20 years old</font>\r<BR>\n" );
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