document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1169014>Question 1169014</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> “W” is 3 years younger than “S”’s age.  In five years, the sum of their ages will be nineteen.  How old is “W” now? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #793681 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13209)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><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=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=793681\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Very basic algebra: set up the problem exactly the way it is presented.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "(1) W = S-3  (W is 3 years younger than S's age)<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "(2) (W+5)+(S+5) = 19  (In 5 years, the sum of their ages will be 19)<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Use (1) to replace \"W\" in (2) with \"S-3\"; then solve using basic algebra.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "A bit more advanced algebra: read the problem carefully to set up the problem using a single variable.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "S = S's age<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S-3 = W's age (3 years less than S)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S+5 = S'S age in 5 years<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(S-3)+5 = S+2 = W's age in 5 years<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The sum of their ages 5 years from now will be 19:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28S%2B5%29%2B%28S%2B2%29+=+19 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28S%2B5%29%2B%28S%2B2%29+=+19\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Again solve using basic algebra.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Using logical reasoning (doesn't give you practice with algebra; but it's good brain exercise)<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Since the sum of their ages 5 years from now will be 19, the sum of their ages now is 9.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now simply play with some numbers to find two ages with a sum of 9 in which the difference between the two ages is 3.<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );