SOLUTION: The sum of the ages of Tom and Chloe is 72 years. 10 years ago, Tom's age was 3 times Chloe's age. How old is Tom now?

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Question 1175066: The sum of the ages of Tom and Chloe is 72 years. 10 years ago, Tom's age was 3 times Chloe's age. How old is Tom now?

Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let Tom’s age be T and Chloe’s age C
if The sum of the ages of Tom and Chloe is 72 years, we have
T%2BC=72 .....eq.1
if 10 years ago Tom's age was 3 times Chloe's age, we have
T-10=3%28C-10%29.....eq.2
solve the system:
T%2BC=72 .....eq.1
T-10=3%28C-10%29.....eq.2
-----------------------------------------
T-10=3%28C-10%29....eq.2...... solve for T
T=3C-30%2B10
T=3C-20
T%2BC=72 .....eq.1...substitute T from eq.2
3C-20%2BC=72....solve for C
4C=72%2B20
C=92%2F4
C=23
go to
T=3C-20.....eq.2, substitute C
T=3%2A23-20
T=+69-20
T=+49
Tom is T=49 years old now.