SOLUTION: The sum of the ages of two children is 16 years. Four years ago, the age of the older child was three times the age of the younger child. Find the present age of each child.

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Question 1007024: The sum of the ages of two children is 16 years. Four years ago, the age of the older child was three times the age of the younger child. Find the present age of each child.
Answer by CubeyThePenguin(3113) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x = age of older child
y = age of younger child

x + y = 16
(x-4) = 3(y-4)

Plug in y = 16-x into the equation.

x - 4 = 3y - 12
x - 4 = 48 - 3x - 12
4x = 40

The older child is 10 and the younger child is 6.