SOLUTION: The sum of the present ages of Joey and his mother is 46 years. In 4 years, Joey will be less than one half as old as him mother at that time. Find the present ages of Joey and his

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Question 1003824: The sum of the present ages of Joey and his mother is 46 years. In 4 years, Joey will be less than one half as old as him mother at that time. Find the present ages of Joey and his mother.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
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The sum of the present ages of Joey and his mother is 46 years.
j + m = 46
In 4 years, Joey will be one half as old as his mother at that time.
j + 4 = 1%2F2(m + 4)
multiply both sides by 2
2(j+4) = m + 4
2j + 8 = m + 4
2j - m = 4 - 8
2j - m = -4
:
Use elimination on these two equation
j + m = 46
2j - m = -4
--------------addition eliminates m, find j
3j = 42
j = 42/3
j = 14 yrs is Joey
:
Find Mom's age
14 + m = 46
m = 46 - 14
m = 32 yrs is Mom's age
:
:
Check that in the statement
"In 4 years, Joey will be one half as old as his mother at that time."
14 + 4 = 1%2F2(32 + 4)
18 = 1%2F2(36)