SOLUTION: Sean is 26 years old. He is 8 years older than John. How many years ago was Sean's age three time John's age?

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Question 1062269: Sean is 26 years old. He is 8 years older than John. How many years ago was Sean's age three time John's age?
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
s=26
s=j+8
-
26=j%2B8
j=26-8
j=18
Current ages are system%28s=26%2Cj=18%29.


x, how many years ago

s-x=3%28j-x%29
s-x=3j-3x
s=3j-2x
s-3j=-2x
highlight_green%28x=%283j-s%29%2F2%29
Current ages s and j are already solved or known now, so substitute.

x=%283%2A18-26%29%2F2

x=3%2A9-13

x=27-13

highlight%28x=14%29
Fourteen years ago

Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Sean is 26 years old. He is 8 years older than John. How many years ago was Sean's age three time John's age?
Since Sean is 26, and is 8 years older than John, then John is 26 - 8, or 18 years-old.

Let years ago that Sean was 3 times John's age, be y

We then get: 26 - y = 3(18 - y)

26 - y = 54 - 3y

- y + 3y = 54 - 26

2y = 28

y, or years ago that Sean was 3 times John's age = highlight_green%28matrix%281%2C3%2C+28%2F2%2C+%22=%22%2C+14%29%29

See how easy that was....nothing COMPLEX or CONFUSING!