Question 476266
Let {{{ a }}} = Sam's current age
{{{  a - 5 }}} = Sam's age 5 years ago
{{{ 3*(a - 5) }}} = 3 times Sam's age 5 years ago
{{{ 6a - 60 }}} = 60 less than 6 times her current age
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(1)
{{{ 3*(a - 5) = 6a - 60 }}}
{{{ 3a - 15 = 6a - 60 }}}
{{{ 3a = 45 }}}
{{{ a = 15 }}}
Sam is 15
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(2)
Let Ryan's age now  = {{{ r }}}
Let Alex's age now = {{{ a }}}
given:
(1) {{{ r = a - 6.25 }}}
(2) {{{ r + a = 66 + 11/12 }}}
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) {{{ a - 6.25 + a = 66 + 11/12 }}}
(2) {{{ 2a = 66 + 6.25 + .91667 }}}
(2) {{{ 2a = 73.16667 }}}
(2) {{{ a = 36.583335 }}}
{{{ 12*.583335 = 7 }}}
Alex is 36 and 7 months
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{{{s}}} = Sam's age now
{{{j}}} = Jason's age now
given:
(1) {{{ s = j + 8.666 }}}
(2) {{{ s + j =  23 }}}
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By substitution:
(2) {{{ j + 8.666 + j = 23 }}}
(2) {{{ 2j = 23 - 8.666 }}}
(2) {{{ 2j = 14.333 }}}
(2) {{{ j = 7.167 }}}
{{{ .167*12 = 2 }}}
Jason is 7 years and 2 months old