SOLUTION: Zelma is eighteen years older than her son. She was three times as oldas he was one year ago. How old are they now?

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Question 349994: Zelma is eighteen years older than her son. She was three times as oldas he was one year ago. How old are they now?

Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let son be x years
Zelma = x+18
..
1 year ago
son was x-1 years
Zelma was x+18-1 = x+17 years
..
x+17 = 3(x-1)
x+17 = 3x-3
3x-x =17+3
2x=20
/2
x=10 son's age
Zelma = 10 + 18 = 28 years.