SOLUTION: Zelma is 18 years older then her son one year ago zelma was 3 times as old as her son What are their ages ?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: Zelma is 18 years older then her son one year ago zelma was 3 times as old as her son What are their ages ?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 169487: Zelma is 18 years older then her son
one year ago zelma was 3 times as old as her son
What are their ages ?
Answer by checkley77(12844) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
z=s+18
z-1=3s-1
s+18-1=3s-1
s-3s=-18
-2s=-18
s=-18/-2
s=9 years old for the son.
z=18+9=27 years old for Zelma.
Proof:
27-1=3*9-1
26=27-1
26=26