document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1169685>Question 1169685</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 	<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Lara’s mother is 26 years older than her.  Six years ago she was three times as old as Lara.  Determine both Lara and her mother’s age now, using an algebraic equation. Show ALL steps!\r<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 #794552 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</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=794552\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Here is way to set up and solve this problem using algebra that is completely different from the methods shown by the other tutors.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The problem says that Lara's mother was three times as old as Lara 6 years ago.  So start the problem with<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = Lara's age 6 years ago<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x = her mother's age 6 years ago<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Then use the fact that the difference in their ages is (and always will be) 26 years:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3x-x=26 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3x-x=26\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2x=16 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2x=16\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=13 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=13\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWER: 6 years ago, Lara was 13, so now she is 19.  Her mother is 26 years older, so she is 45.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The required algebra in this solution is much simpler than what is required in the other solutions you have been shown.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "That's a good example of how you should always be looking for alternative ways to solve problems -- you might find a method that works better than the way you have always used before.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "And that lesson doesn't hold only for solving math problems.  It is applicable to solving any problems life might throw at you....<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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