SOLUTION: If twice the present age of Pedro is decreased from Petra's age 5 years ago, the result is 4. Nine times Pedro's age 3 years ago exceeds 4 times Petra's present age by 4. What were

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: If twice the present age of Pedro is decreased from Petra's age 5 years ago, the result is 4. Nine times Pedro's age 3 years ago exceeds 4 times Petra's present age by 4. What were      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 1007186: If twice the present age of Pedro is decreased from Petra's age 5 years ago, the result is 4. Nine times Pedro's age 3 years ago exceeds 4 times Petra's present age by 4. What were their ages last year?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Translate the description and find their present age each. After that, answer the question.

x, Pedro now
y, Petra now

system%28-2x%2B%28y-5%29=4%2C9%28x-3%29-4y=4%29-----this system must make sense first... then solve for x and y.

A possible simplification before getting to the results,
system%28y-5-2x=4%2C9x-27-4y=4%29

system%28y-2x=9%2C9x-4y=31%29
Choose the method you want, and continue.

Substitution method?
9x-4%289%2B2x%29=31
9x-36-8x=31
x=31%2B36
highlight_green%28x=67%29-----Pedro's age NOW.

Not finished, but you can finish this.