Question 558743
I don't quite understand how a boy can be 26 years older than his father?
Did you mean to write: A boy is 26 years younger than his father?
Let B = the boy's present age and F = the father's present age:
1) {{{B = F-26}}}
2) {{{B+3 = (1/3)(F+3)}}} Substitute {{{B = F-26}}}
2a) {{{(F-26)+3 = (1/3)(F+3)}}} Multiply through by 3 to clear the fraction.
2b) {{{3((F-26)+3) = F+3}}} Simplify.
2c) {{{3F-69 = F+3}}}
2d) {{{2F = 72}}}
2e) {{{F = 36}}} and {{{B = 36-26}}}={{{10}}}
The boy is 10 years old and the father is 36 years old.