SOLUTION: The sum of the ages of two sisters, Mary and Jane, is 24 years. Four years ago three times Mary’s age was 3 years more than twice Jane’s age. Determine their current ages.

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Question 1168878: The sum of the ages of two sisters, Mary and Jane, is 24 years. Four years ago three times Mary’s age was 3 years more than twice Jane’s age. Determine their current ages.
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
system%28m%2Bj=24%2C3%28m-4%29=3%2B2%28j-4%29%29


3m-12=3%2B2j-8
3m=2j%2B12%2B3-8
3m-2j=7
substitute,
3m-2%2824-m%29=7
cross%283m-48%2Bm=7%29------MISTAKE FOUND HERE
cross%284m=48%2B7%29
cross%284m=55%29
cross%28m=13%263%2F4%29-------------maybe. Only if you could expect the year cut into twelfths or into quarters.


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

The sum of the ages of two sisters, Mary and Jane, is 24 years. Four years ago three times Mary’s age was 3 years more than twice Jane’s age. Determine their current ages.
Don't believe what he tells you! Mary's age is NOT a MIXED number, so cross%28m=13%263%2F4%29.
In fact,
You can do the CHECK!!