SOLUTION: Raquel is now 3 years older than Ben. In 5 years, the sum of their ages will be 79. How old are they now? Side note: the answer must be labeled with the name and age of the person

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Question 1014738: Raquel is now 3 years older than Ben. In 5 years, the sum of their ages will be 79. How old are they now? Side note: the answer must be labeled with the name and age of the person and if you add the two answers, it will come up with the answer 79.
Answer by macston(5194) About Me  (Show Source):
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If the sum is 79 in five years, the current sum is:
79 years - 5 years for Raquel - 5 years for Ben = 69 years
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Raquel's age = Ben's age + 3 years
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Raquel's age + Ben's age = 69 years . Substitute (Ben's age + 3 years) for (Raquel's age)
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Ben's age + 3 yrs + Ben's age = 69 years . Subtract 3 yrs from each side.
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Ben's age + Ben's age = 66 years
2 x Ben's age = 66 years . Divide each side by 2.
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ANSWER 1: Ben's age = 33 years
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Raquel's age = Ben's age + 3 years
Raquel's age = 33 years + 3 years
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ANSWER 2: Raquel's age = 36 years
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CHECK:
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Raquel's age + 5 yrs + Ben's age + 5 yrs = 79 yrs
36 yrs + 5 yrs + 33 yrs + 5 yrs = 79 yrs
79 yrs = 79 yrs