SOLUTION: Alvin is now four times as old as Benjamin. Five years ago, the sum of their ages was 45 years. How old is each now?

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Question 489767: Alvin is now four times as old as Benjamin. Five years ago, the sum of their ages was 45 years. How old is each now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +a+ = Alvin's age now
Let +b+ = Ben's age now
given:
+a+=+4b+
+a+-+5+%2B+b+-+5+=+45+
By substitution:
+4b+-+5+%2B+b+-+5+=+45+
+5b+-+10+=+45+
+5b+=+55+
+b+=+11+
and, since
+a+=+4b+
+a+=+44+
Alvin is 44 now
Ben is 11 now