Question 519444
i love age  wordproblems

I use the first letters of their names
Larry(L) is(=) currently five times(5*) older than Michael(M)
{{{L=5*M}}}
In twelv years(add 12 to both ages) Larry(L) will be(=) twice(2*) as old as Michael(M)
{{{L+12=2*(M+12)}}}
Now its a simple substitution problem
{{{(5M)+12=2M+24}}}
{{{3M+12=24}}}
{{{3M=12}}}
{{{highlight(M=8)}}}
{{{L=5*8}}}
{{{highlight(L=40)}}}