SOLUTION: Hi, here is a problem I've been stuck on, please help, if possible! In 7 years, Maria will be 4 times as old as Angelica will be then. The sum of their ages is now 71. How old w

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Question 194189This question is from textbook academic systems elementary algebra
: Hi, here is a problem I've been stuck on, please help, if possible!
In 7 years, Maria will be 4 times as old as Angelica will be then. The sum of their ages is now 71. How old will each of them be in 5 years?
So far, I've got a chart like this:
Maria: In 7 years: 4(x+7). In 5 Years: x+5 (not sure if Maria is still 4 times older than Angelica in 5 years?)
Angelica: In 7 years: x+7. In 5 Years: x+5. =71
I put the equation together like this:
4(x+7) - (x+5)= 71
4(x + 28) - (x+5)= 71
4x + 28 - (x+5) = 71
4x - x +28 - 5 = 71
3x + 23 = 71
3x =48
X = 16
The solution I get is 16, but the answer at the back of the book says Angelica is 15, and Maria is 66! What did I do wrong, and what is the correct way to solve? Any help would be great, thanks!
Leanne Rain
This question is from textbook academic systems elementary algebra

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In 7 years, Maria will be 4 times as old as Angelica will be then. The sum of their ages is now 71. How old will each of them be in 5 years?
-------------------------------------
NOW DATA:
Let Maria be "M" yrs. old
Then Angel is "71-M"
---------------------------
7 yrs from NOW DATA:
Maria will be "M+7"
Angel will be "71-M+7" = 78-M
-------------------------------
Equation based on 7 yrs. from NOW DATA:
M+7 = 4(78-M)
M+7 = 312 - 4M
5M = 305
M = 61 (Maria's age NOW)
Angel = 71-M = 71-61 = 10 (Angel's age NOW)
--------------------------------------
5 yrs from NOW
Maria will be 61+5 = 65
Angel will be 10+5 = 15
=============================
Cheers,
Stan H.