SOLUTION: Johns mother is five times his as old as john is. Three years ago, she was 9 times his age. What are their present ages?

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Question 1037999: Johns mother is five times his as old as john is. Three years ago, she was 9 times his age. What are their present ages?
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20064) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
John's mother is five times as old as John is. 
M = 5J

Three years ago,... 
Three years ago, the mother was M-3
Three years ago, John was J-3

Three years ago, she was 9 times his age. 
M-3 = 9(J-3)

system%28M=5J%2CM-3=9%28J-3%29%29

Solve by substituting 5J for M in the second equation,
solving for J, then substituting what you get to find M.

Edwin