SOLUTION: Six years ago, mark is five times old as James. In five years, Mark will be three times as old as James. What is the present age of James? Badly needed your help guys. Thank you

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Question 974446: Six years ago, mark is five times old as James. In five years, Mark will be three times as old as James. What is the present age of James? Badly needed your help guys. Thank you
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
m and j, current ages.
system%28m-6=5%28j-6%29%2Cm%2B5=3%28j%2B5%29%29

Solve the system for m and j.



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Simplify the system.
system%28m-6=5j-30%2Cm%2B5=3j%2B15%29
system%28m-5j=6-30%2Cm-3j=-5%2B15%29
system%28m-5j=-24%2Cm-3j=10%29
Use Elimination Method for the start of a next step.
%28m-5j%29-%28m-3j%29=-24-10
-5j%2B3j=-34
-2j=-34
2j=34
j=17-------the value for j, James' age.