SOLUTION: The sum of James and tom 2 years ago Was 40. In two years time from now, the ages of James will be 3times than of john. Find their ages now

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Question 1039786: The sum of James and tom 2 years ago Was 40. In two years time from now, the ages of James will be 3times than of john. Find their ages now
Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
ages now are x for James and y for Tom
(x-2)+(y-2)=40, x+y-4=40, x+y=44
3(y+2)=x+2, James will be 3 times that of Tom in 2 years.
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x+y=44, rewriting.
x+2=3y+6, x-3y-4=0
3x+3y=132
x-3y=4
4x=136
x=34. James is 34 now. Two years ago, he was 32 and Tom was 8. Therefore, Tom is 10 now.
In two years, James will be 36 and Tom 12, a 3:1 ratio.