SOLUTION: The sum of the ages of sam and thomas is 27 years. Seven years ago, thomas was three years more than one-fourth as old as sam.find their present ages.

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Question 1060304: The sum of the ages of sam and thomas is 27 years. Seven years ago, thomas was three years more than one-fourth as old as sam.find their present ages.

Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
S%2BT=27
Seven years ago,
T-7=3%2B%28S-7%29%2F4
4%28T-7%29=12%2BS-7
4T-28=5%2BS
4T=S%2B33
From eq. 1,
T=27-S
Substituting,
4%2827-S%29=S%2B33
108-4S=S%2B33
-5S=-75
S=15
So then,
15%2BT=27
T=12