SOLUTION: Anne is two years older than Mary. Last year Anne was three times as old as Mary. How old is Anne now?

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Question 536407: Anne is two years older than Mary. Last year Anne was three times as old as Mary. How old is Anne now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let a = Anne's age now
Let m = Mary's age now
given:
(1) +a+=+m+%2B+2+
(2) +a+-+1+=+3%2A%28+m+-+1+%29+
----------------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +m+%2B+2+-+1+=+3m+-+3+
(2) +m+%2B+1+=+3m+-+3+
(2) +2m+=+4+
(2) +m+=+2+
and, since
(1) +a+=+m+%2B+2+
(1) +a+=+2+%2B+2+
(1) +a+=+4+
Anne is 4 now