SOLUTION: Pam is eight years younger than Jim. In one year Jim will be three times as old as Pam was five years ago. What are their ages now?

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Question 787568: Pam is eight years younger than Jim. In one year Jim will be three times as old as Pam was five years ago. What are their ages now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +p+ = Pam's age now
Let +j+ = Jim's age now
-----------------------
(1) +p+=+j+-+8+
(2) +j+%2B+1+=+3%2A%28+p+-+5+%29+
------------------
(2) +j+%2B+1+=+3p+-+15+
(2) +3p+-+j+=+16+
and
(1) +-p+%2B+j+=+8+
----------------
Add (1) and (2)
+2p+=+24+
+p+=+12+
and
(1) +p+=+j+-+8+
(1) +12+=+j+-+8+
(1) +j+=+20+
-------------
Jim is 20 and Pam is 12
check:
(2) +j+%2B+1+=+3%2A%28+p+-+5+%29+
(2) +20+%2B+1+=+3%2A%28+12+-+5+%29+
(2) +21+=+3%2A7+
(2) +21+=+21+
OK