SOLUTION: The sum of Laura and Sally's ages now is 32. Six years ago, Sally was 1/3 as old as double Laura's age then. How old are each now? i tried solving but S(1/3) + L(2)=26 did not

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Question 992105: The sum of Laura and Sally's ages now is 32. Six years ago, Sally was 1/3 as old as double Laura's age then. How old are each now?
i tried solving but S(1/3) + L(2)=26 did not work. Thanks

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +L+ = Laura's age now
Let +S+ = Sally's age now
-----------------------
(1) +S+%2B+L+=+32+
(2) +S+-+6+=+%281%2F3%29%2A2%2A%28+L+-+6+%29+
--------------------------
(2) +3%2A%28+s-6+%29+=+2%2A%28+L-6+%29+
(2) +3s+-+18+=+2L+-+12+
(2) +3S+-+2L+=+6+
------------------
Multiply both sides of (1) by +2+
and add the equations
(1) +2S+%2B+2L+=+64+
(2) +3S+-+2L+=+6+
------------------
+5S+=+70+
+S+=+14+
and
(1) +14+%2B+L+=+32+
(1) +L+=+18+
-------------
Laura is 18
Sally is 14
----------
check:
(2) +S+-+6+=+%281%2F3%29%2A2%2A%28+L+-+6+%29+
(2) +14+-+6+=+%281%2F3%29%2A2%2A%28+18+-+6+%29+
(2) +8+=+%282%2F3%29%2A12+
(2) +24+=+2%2A12+
(2) +24+=+24+
OK