SOLUTION: use guess and check. Seven years ago, John was twice as old as bill. Seven years from now the sum of their age will be 61. How old are they now?

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Question 570843: use guess and check.
Seven years ago, John was twice as old as bill. Seven years from now the sum of their age will be 61. How old are they now?

Answer by JBarnum(2146) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
why use guess n check? that will take longer
John(j) and Bill(b)
j-7=2%28b-7%29
%28j%2B7%29%2B%28b%2B7%29=61
.
j=2b-7
%28%282b-7%29%2B7%29%2B%28b%2B7%29=61
%283b%2B7%29=61
3b=54
highlight%28b=18%29
.
j=2b-7
j=2%2818%29-7%29
j=36-7
highlight%28j=29%29
.
check
j-7=2%28b-7%29
29-7=2%2818-7%29
22=22
correct
check
%2829%2B7%29%2B%2818%2B7%29=61
%2836%29%2B%2825%29=61
61=61
correct