Question 1074699: Charles is 12 years younger than Clark. Three years ago Clark was five times as old as Charles. How old are they now? Answer by ikleyn(52879) (Show Source):
Let L be the Charles present age, and K be the Clark's present age.
Then
L = K - 12, (1)
K-3 = 5*(L-3). (2)
Substitute (1) into (2), replacing L. You will get
K - 3 = 5*((K-12) -3), or
K - 3 = 5K - 75,
4K = 72 ---> K = 18.
Answer. Clark is 18 years old now. Charles is 18-12 = 6 years old.
