SOLUTION: Nelson is twice as old as Charlie was four years ago. The sum of their ages now is thirty-four years. How old is each? Would you please show me the steps to solving this problem?

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Question 945846: Nelson is twice as old as Charlie was four years ago. The sum of their ages now is thirty-four years. How old is each? Would you please show me the steps to solving this problem?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +n+ = Nelson's age now
Let +c+ = Charlie's age now
+c+-+4+ = Charlie's age 4 years ago
---------------
(1) +n+=+2%2A%28+c+-+4+%29+
(2) +n+%2B+c+=+34+
--------------------
(1) +n+=+2c+-+8+
(1) +-n+%2B+2c+=+8+
------------------
Add (1) and (2)
(2) +n+%2B+c+=+34+
(1) +-n+%2B+2c+=+8+
------------------
+3c+=+42+
+c+=+14+
and
(1) +n+=+2c+-+8+
(1) +n+=+2%2A14+-+8+
(1) +n+=+28+-+8+
(1) +n+=+20+
Nelson is 20
Charlie is 14
-------------
check:
(2) +n+%2B+c+=+34+
(2) +20+%2B+14+=+34+
(2) +34+=+34+
OK