SOLUTION: patrick is 2 times as old as his friend james, james is 8 years older than rica, in 8 years, patrick will be 3 times as old as rica. How old is james now?

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Question 1027536: patrick is 2 times as old as his friend james, james is 8 years older than rica, in 8 years, patrick will be 3 times as old as rica. How old is james now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +p+ = Patrick's age now
Let +j+ = James's age now
Let +r+ = Rica's age now
--------------------------
(1) +p+=+2j+
(2) +j+=+r+%2B+8+
(3) +p+%2B+8+=+3%2A%28+r+%2B+8+%29+
-----------------------
Substitute (1) into (3)
(3) +2j+%2B+8+=+3%2A%28+r+%2B+8+%29+
(3) +2j+%2B+8+=+3r+%2B+24+
(3) +2j+-+3r+=+16+
--------------------
(2) +j+-+r+=+8+
(2) +2j+-+2r+=+16+
--------------------
Subtract (3) from (2)
(2) +2j+-+2r+=+16+
(3) +-2j+%2B+3r+=+-16+
-----------------------
+r+=+0+
and
(2) +j+=+r+%2B+8+
(2) +j+=0+%2B+8+
(2) +j+=+8+
and
(1) +p+=+2j+
(1) +p+=+2%2A8+
(1) +p+=+16+
----------------
James is 8 now
----------------
check answer:
Patrick is twice as old as James
+16+=+2%2A8+
OK
James is 8 years older than rica
+8+=+8+%2B+0+
+8+=+8+
OK
In 8 years, patrick will be 3 times as old as rica.
+16+%2B+8+=+3%2A%28+0+%2B+8+%29+
+24+=+24+
OK
( note that Rica being +0+ means just born )