Question 217521
write an equation which models how old in years I will be when I am 3 times as old as my younger cousin.
 I am 33 she is 14.
:
Let y = no. of years for this to happen
:
33 + y = 3(14 + y)
33 + y = 42 + 3y
y - 3y = 42 - 33
-2y = 9
2y = -9
y = -4.5 yrs
:
this means you were 3 times as old as your cousin, 4.5 years ago
Will not happen in the future.
:
To answer the question; your age 4.5 yrs ago = 28.5; cousin was 9.5 
:
Check:
 33 - 4.5 = 3(14 - 4.5)
28.5 = 3(9.5)