SOLUTION: 8 years ago,melanie waz half as old as she will be in 3 years. How old is she presently? please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Question 174419: 8 years ago,melanie waz half as old as she will be in 3 years. How old is she presently? please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x=Melanie's age now, y=Melanie's age 8 years ago, and z=Melanie's age in 3 years


So this means that y=x-8 and z=x%2B3 (by definition)


Since "8 years ago,melanie waz half as old as she will be in 3 years", this tells us that y=%281%2F2%29z


y=%281%2F2%29z Start with the given equation.


x-8=%281%2F2%29%28x%2B3%29 Plug in y=x-8 and z=x%2B3


2%28x-8%29=x%2B3 Multiply both sides by 2.


2x-16=x%2B3 Distribute.


2x=x%2B3%2B16 Add 16 to both sides.


2x-x=3%2B16 Subtract x from both sides.


x=3%2B16 Combine like terms on the left side.


x=19 Combine like terms on the right side.


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Answer:

So the answer is x=19 which means that she is currently 19 years old