Question 498187
Let x=son's present age
And let y father's present age
x-2=son's age 2 yrs ago;  x+3=son's age 3 yrs hence
y-2=fathers age 2 yrs ago;  y+3=father's age 3 yrs hence
Now we are told the following:
y-2=8(x-2) simplify
y-2=8x-16
y-8x=-14-------------------eq1
and
y+3=4.5(x+3)simplify
y+3=4.5x+13.5
y-4.5x=10.5----------------eq2
subtract eq1 from eq2
3.5x=24.5
x=7 yrs old-----------------present age of son
from eq1
y-56=-14
y=42---------------present age of father
CK
two years ago:
42-2=8*5
40=40
3 years from present:
42+3=(4.5)*10
45=45

Hope this helps-----ptaylor