SOLUTION: Write an algebraic expression for the following situation. Sam is three times as old as his brother Brian was 2 years ago. Brian is m years old now. How old is Sam? Expressi

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Question 590281: Write an algebraic expression for the following situation.
Sam is three times as old as his brother Brian was 2 years ago. Brian is m years old now. How old is Sam?
Expression _________________

I thought 3m-2= sam's age would work, but when you plug in #s such as 16, you get a huge age gap that makes it seem wrong....any thoughts?
Found 2 solutions by dfrazzetto, scott8148:
Answer by dfrazzetto(283) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

sam's age = S
Brian's age = m
S = 3(m-2)

or

S = 3m - 6


Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
2 years ago, Brian was m-2; 3 times that ___ 3(m-2) = 3m - 6


the wrong seeming age gap is the result of large numbers
remember, this is a one time age relationship; as they age, the relationship changes
plugging in 16 for Brian makes Sam 42; 26 years between siblings is probably approaching some max