SOLUTION: Can you guide me through this age problem that requires two variable"Mrs. Bruce lacks one year from being five times as old as her son. Five years from now she will lack One year f

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Question 381919: Can you guide me through this age problem that requires two variable"Mrs. Bruce lacks one year from being five times as old as her son. Five years from now she will lack One year from being 3 time as old as her son will be then.Find each of their ages"
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"Mrs. Bruce lacks one year from being five times as old as her son"
so if you add one to her age , she will equal 5 times the son
___ B + 1 = 5s ___ B = 5s - 1

"Five years from now she will lack One year from being 3 time as old as her son will be then"
same technique , different numbers
___ (B + 5) + 1 = 3(s + 5) ___ B + 6 = 3s + 15 ___ B = 3s + 9

substituting the B equivalent from the 1st equation into the 2nd equation ___ (5s - 1) = 3s + 9

2s = 10 ___ s = 5

B = 3(5) + 9 ___ B = 24