SOLUTION: Rachel is 4 times as old as James. Three years ago the sum of their ages was 29 years. How old is each now?

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Question 1054853: Rachel is 4 times as old as James. Three years ago the sum of their ages was 29 years. How old is each now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +a+ = Rachel's age now
Let +b+ = James age now
--------------------------------
(1) +a+=+4b+
(2) +a+-+3+%2B+b+-+3++=+29+
--------------------------------
(2) +a+%2B+b+=++35+
Plug (1) into (2)
(2) +4b+%2B+b+=+35+
(2) +5b+=+35+
(2) +b+=+7+
and
(1) +a+=+4b+
(1) +a+=+4%2A7+
(1) +a+=+28+
Rachel is 28
James is 7