SOLUTION: James is four years younger than Austin. If three times James' age is increased by the square of Austin's age, the result is 28. Find the ages of James and Austin. (Algebraic solu

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: James is four years younger than Austin. If three times James' age is increased by the square of Austin's age, the result is 28. Find the ages of James and Austin. (Algebraic solu      Log On


   

Question 551505: James is four years younger than Austin. If three times James' age is increased by the square of Austin's age, the result is 28. Find the ages of James and Austin. (Algebraic solutions only)
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"James is four years younger than Austin" ___ j = a - 4

"If three times James' age is increased by the square of Austin's age, the result is 28"
___ 3j + a^2 = 28

substituting ___ 3(a - 4) + a^2 = 28 ___ a^2 + 3a - 40 = 0 ___ (a + 8)(a - 5) = 0

solve for a, then substitute back to find j