Question 145105
Let x=Amy's age
x+5=Amy's age in 5 years
x+3=Patrick's age
x+3+5=x+8=Patrick's age in five years

Now we are told the following:

x+5+x+8=31
2x+13=31  subtract 13 from each side
2x+13-13=31-13  collect like terms

2x=18  divide each side by 2

x=9------------------Amy's age 
x+3=9+3=12---------------------Patrick's age

CK
(9+5)+(12+5)=31
14+17=31
31=31


Hope this helps---ptaylor