SOLUTION: In three years time a pet mouse will be as old as his owner was four years ago.Their present ages total 13 years.Find the age of each now.

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Question 733758: In three years time a pet mouse will be as old as his owner was four years ago.Their present ages total 13 years.Find the age of each now.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +a+ = the present age of the owner
Let +b+ = the present age of the mouse
given:
(1) +a+%2B+b+=+13+
(2) +b+%2B+3+=+a+-+4+
-------------------
(2) +a+-+b+=+7+
(1) +a+%2B+b+=+13+
Add the equations
+2a+=+20+
+a+=+10+
and
(1) +10+%2B+b+=+13+
(1) +b+=+3+
The owner is 10 and the mouse is 3
check:
In 3 yrs the mouse is 6
4 yrs ago the owner was 6
OK