SOLUTION: Thomas is 4 years older than Paul. Five years ago the sum of their ages was 14. How old is Thomas?

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Question 516401: Thomas is 4 years older than Paul. Five years ago the sum of their ages was 14. How old is Thomas?
Answer by Maths68(1474) About Me  (Show Source):
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Let
Present age of Thomas = t
Present age of Paul = p



Thomas is 4 years older than Paul.
t=p+4.........(1)
Five years ago
t-5=p-5
then, the sum of their ages was 14.
(t-5)+(p-5)=14
t-5+p-5=14
t+p-10=14
t+p=14+10
t+p=24........................(2)
Put the value of t from (1) to (2)
p+4+p=24
2p+4=24
2p=24-4
2p=20
2p/2=20/2
p=10
Put the value of p in (1)
t=p+4.........(1)
t=10+4
t=14
Thomas is 14 years old and Paul is 10 years old