Question 448547
Let {{{a}}} = Tom's age now
Let {{{b}}} = Todd's age now
given:
(1) {{{ a = 3b }}}
(2) {{{ a + 2 = 2*(b + 2) + 6 }}}
(2) {{{ a + 2 = 2b + 4 + 6 }}}
(2) {{{ a - 2b = 8 }}}
By substitution:
(2) {{{ 3b - 2b = 8 }}}
{{{ b = 8 }}}
and, since
{{{ a = 3b }}}
{{{ a = 24 }}}
Tom is 24 and Todd is 8
check:
(2) {{{ a + 2 = 2*(b + 2) + 6 }}}
(2) {{{ 24 + 2 = 2*(8 + 2) + 6 }}}
(2) {{{ 26 = 20 + 6 }}}
{{{26 = 26}}} OK