SOLUTION: the sum of angle's age and her mother's age is 56. two years ago, her mother was three times as old as her. how old is her mother?

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Question 475701: the sum of angle's age and her mother's age is 56. two years ago, her mother was three times as old as her. how old is her mother?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let a = Angel's age now
Let m = Mother's age now
given:
(1) +a+%2B+m+=+56+
(2) +m+-+2+=+3%2A%28a+-+2%29+
-------------------------
(2) +m+-+2+=+3a+-+6+
(2) +3a+-+m+=+4+
Add (1) and (2)
(1) +a+%2B+m+=+56+
(2) +3a+-+m+=+4+
+4a+=+60+
+a+=+15+
and
(1) +a+%2B+m+=+56+
(1) 15+%2B+m+=+56+
(1) +m+=+56+-+15+
(1) +m+=+41+
Her Mother is 41 now
check:
(2) +m+-+2+=+3%2A%28a+-+2%29+
(2) +41+-+2+=+3%2A%2815+-+2%29+
(2) +39+=+3%2A13+
(2) +39+=+39+
OK