SOLUTION: John is four times as old as clarence. If their combined age is 30 years, how old is John?

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Question 1107896: John is four times as old as clarence. If their combined age is 30 years, how old is John?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +a+ = John's age now
Let +b+ = Clarence's age now
---------------------------------
(1) +a+=+4b+
(2) +a+%2B+b+=+30+
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Plug (1) into (2)
(2) +4b+%2B+b+=+30+
(2) +5b+=+30+
(2) +b+=+6+
and
(1) +a+=+4b+
(1) +a+=+4%2A6+
(1) +a+=+24+
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John is 24
Clarence is 6