Question 286104
Bill is 3 times as old as Peter. 
Six years from now, Bill will be twice as old as Peter will be then.
 Find their present ages
:
Write an equation for each statement;
:
"Bill is 3 times as old as Peter."
b = 3p
:
" Six years from now, Bill will be twice as old as Peter will be then."
b + 6 = 2(p+6)
b + 6 = 2p + 12
b = 2p + 12 - 6
b = 2p + 6
:
From the 1st statement, replace b with 3p
3p = 2p + 6
3p - 2p = 6
p = 6 yrs is Peter's present age
:
I'll let you find Bill's age, check solutions in the 2nd statement