Question 150670
Three years ago, Rica was thrice as old as Dandy. Three years hence, she will be twice as old. Find their present ages.
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Let Rica's present age be "r".  Let Dandy's present ate by "d".
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EQUATIONS:
Three years ago:   r-3 = 3(d-3)
Three years hence: r+3 = 2(d+3)
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Rearrange:
r - 3d = -6
r - 2d = 3
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Subtract 1st from 2nd to get:
d = 9 (Dandy's age NOW)
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Substitute into r-2d = 3
r -(2*9) = 3
r = 21 (Rita's age NOW)
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Cheers,
Stan H.