Question 411973
Let b = B's present age
Let m = M's present age
:
Write an equation for each statement:
:
"Betty is now three times as old as mike,"
b = 3m
:
"but in five years she will be only twice as old as mike." (5yrs added to both ages)
b + 5 = 2(m + 5)
b + 5 = 2m + 10
b = 2m + 10 - 5
b = 2m + 5
from the 1st statement, we know b = 3m, replace b with 3m in the above equation
3m = 2m + 5
3m - 2m = 5
 m = 5 yrs is M's present age
:
:
To check our solution, find B's age 3(5)=15 is B's present age
Use these values in the statement:
"in five years she will be only twice as old as mike. "
15 + 5 = 2(5+5)confirms our solution of m=5