SOLUTION: John is 3 years older than Mary. Five years ago he was four times as old as Mary was then. How old is John?

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Question 1042944: John is 3 years older than Mary. Five years ago he was four times as old as Mary was then. How old is John?
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
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John is 3 years older than Mary. Five years ago he was four times as old as Mary was then. How old is John?
Let John's age be J

Then Mary's is: J - 3

We then get: J - 5 = 4(J - 3 - 5)

J - 5 = 4(J - 8)

Continue to solve for J, John's current age.