document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1196562>Question 1196562</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Pls help. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Elias and Shui are good friends. This year Elias is 48 years older than Shui. Nine years<BR>\n" );
document.write( "ago Elias was three times Shui's age. How old is Elias? </SPAN>\n" );
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document.write( "The two responses you have received to now both show the same method of solution; that method sets up the problem starting with the statement that Elias is 48 years older than Shui.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "I would start the problem differently, resulting in easier algebra....<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Since Elias was 3 times as old as Shui 9 years ago, let x and 3x be their ages 9 years ago.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The difference between their ages 9 years ago is then 3x-x=2x.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "But the difference in their ages is 48 years; so 2x=48 and x=24.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So their ages 9 years ago were x=24 and 3x=72.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So now the age of Elias is 72+9=81.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWER: 81<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Without all the words....<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = age of Shiu 9 years ago<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x = age of Elias 9 years ago<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x-x = 2x = 48; x = 48/2 = 24; 3x = 3(24) = 72<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Elias's age now: 72+9 = 81<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
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