document.write( "Question 1187418: Four times Polly’s present age is 4 more than eight times Olive’s age 2 years ago. Three times Olive’s age is 3 more than twice what Polly’s age was 4 years ago. Find their present ages. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #818422 by greenestamps(13200)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


\n" ); document.write( "Define some variables...

\n" ); document.write( "Let x = Olive's current age
\n" ); document.write( "Let y = Polly's current age

\n" ); document.write( "... and translate each given piece of information directly into an algebraic equation.

\n" ); document.write( "Four times Polly’s present age is 4 more than eight times Olive’s age 2 years ago.

\n" ); document.write( "Polly's present age is y; Olive's age 2 years ago was x-2:
\n" ); document.write( "\"4y=8%28x-2%29%2B4\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"4y=8x-16%2B4\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"4y=8x-12\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"y=2x-3\" [1]

\n" ); document.write( "Three times Olive’s age is 3 more than twice what Polly’s age was 4 years ago.

\n" ); document.write( "Olive's age now is x; Polly's age 4 years ago was y-4:
\n" ); document.write( "\"3x=2%28y-4%29%2B3\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"3x=2y-8%2B3\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"3x=2y-5\" [2]

\n" ); document.write( "With the two equations [1] and [2] in those forms, a solution using substitution seems the way to go. Substitute [1] in [2]:

\n" ); document.write( "\"3x+=+2%282x-3%29-5\"

\n" ); document.write( "I'll let you finish. Solve that equation for x, then substitute the value of x in [1] to find y.

\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );