SOLUTION: Trey is 40 years younger than Heather. 3 years ago, Heather's age was 3 times Trey's age. How old is Trey now?

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Question 987883: Trey is 40 years younger than Heather. 3 years ago, Heather's age was 3 times Trey's age. How old is Trey now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +t+ = Trey's age now
Let +h+ = Heather's age now
+t+-+3+ = Trey's age 3 yrs ago
+h+-+3+ = Heather's age 3 yrs ago
----------------------------------
(1) +t+=+h+-+40+
(2) +h+-+3+=+3%2A%28+t+-+3+%29+
-------------------------
(2) +h+-+3+=+3t+-+9+
(2) +3t+-+h+=+6+
and
(1) +-t+%2B+h+=+40+
----------------------
Add (1) and (2)
+2t+=+46+
+t+=+23+
Trey is 23 now
-----------------
check:
(1) +t+=+h+-+40+
(1) +23+=+h+-+40+
(1) +h+=+63+
and
(2) +h+-+3+=+3%2A%28+t+-+3+%29+
(2) +63+-+3+=+3%2A%28+23+-+3+%29+
(2) +60+=+3%2A20+
(2) +60+=+60+
OK