SOLUTION: Three years ago, Rica was thrice old as Dandy. Three years hence, she will be twice as old. Find their present ages.

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Question 48105: Three years ago, Rica was thrice old as Dandy. Three years hence, she will be twice as old. Find their present ages.
Answer by Paul(988) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x represent Rica's age and let y represent Dandy's age
EQUATION:
"Three years ago, Rica was thrice old as Dandy"
-->3(y-3)=x-3, x=3y-6 (SUBSITUTION)

EQUATION 2:
"Three years hence, she will be twice as old. Find their present ages"
-->2(y+3)=x+3
2y+6=x+3
Subsitute for x:
2y+6=3y-6+3
2y+6=3y-3
y=9
x=3(9)-6, x=21
Hence, Rica is 21 years old and Dandy is 9 years old.
Paul.