document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1204169>Question 1204169</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Bill\"s age is a year less than twice Jane's age. 5 years ago Bills's age was 3 times Jane's age. Find Bill's age? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #840262 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=840262\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "I very much disagree with the other tutor when he says solving a problem like this is easier with two unknowns than with one.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Compare the algebra required to solve the problem with his solution using two unknowns to that required in the solution below using one unknown.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Using the information that 5 years ago Bill's age was 3 times Jane's age....<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let x = Jane's age 5 years ago<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Then 3x = Bill's age 5 years ago<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Then their ages now are x+5 and 3x+5.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Bill's age now is 1 less than twice Jane's age now:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3x%2B5=2%28x%2B5%29-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3x%2B5=2%28x%2B5%29-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3x%2B5=2x%2B9 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3x%2B5=2x%2B9\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Their ages 5 years ago were x=4 and 3x=12.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Their ages now are 4+5=9 and 12+5=17.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWER: Bill's age now is 17<br><BR>\n" );
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