SOLUTION: Maggie is 4 times as old as her cousin Samuel. In 5 years, she will be 6 years less than 3 times his age. How old is Samuel now?

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Question 850812: Maggie is 4 times as old as her cousin Samuel. In 5 years, she will be 6 years less than 3 times his age. How old is Samuel now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +m+ = Maggie's age now
Let +s+ = Samuel's age now
----------------------------
(1) +m+=+4s+
(2) +m+%2B+5+=+3%2A%28+s+%2B+5+%29+-+6+
----------------------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +4s+%2B+5+=+3%2A%28+s+%2B+5+%29+-+6+
(2) +4s+%2B+5+=+3s+%2B+15+-+6+
(2) +s+=+15+-+6+-+5+
(2) +s+=+4+
and
(1) +m+=+4s+
(1) +m+=+16+
Samuel is 4 now
check:
(2) +m+%2B+5+=+3%2A%28+s+%2B+5+%29+-+6+
(2) +16+%2B+5+=+3%2A%28+4+%2B+5+%29+-+6+
(2) +21+=+3%2A9+-+6+
(2) +21+=+27+-+6+
(2) +21+=+21+
OK