SOLUTION: Jason is now three times as old as helston. three years from now jason will be six times as old as helston one year ago find their present ages

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Question 246084: Jason is now three times as old as helston. three years from now jason will be six times as old as helston one year ago find their present ages
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let J = Jason's present age and H = Helston's present age.
1) J = 3*H "Jason is three times as old as Helston"
2) J+3 = 6(H-1) "Three years from now Jason will be six times as old as Helston (was) one year ago"
Substitute J from equation 1) into equation 2) and simplify.
(3*H)+3 = 6H-6 Subtract 3H from both sides.
3 = 3H-6 Add 6 to both sides.
9 = 3H Divide both sides by 3.
3 = H and...
J = 3*H = 3*3 = 9
Jason is 9 and Helston is 3