Question 54443
<pre><b><font size = 5 color = "indigo">John is 5 years older than AL. Two years ago the product
of their ages was 30 less than it is now. How old are 
they now?

John's age now = J
Al's age now = A
John's age two years ago = J-2
Al's age two years ago = A-2
Product of their ages now = JA
Product of their ages two years ago = (J-A)(A-2) 

>>...John is 5 years older than AL.

J = A + 5

>>...Two years ago the product of their ages was 30 less 
than it is now...<<

(J-2)(A-2) = JA - 30

Simplify that equation

JA - 2J - 2A + 4 = JA - 30
Subtract JA from both sides

    -2J - 2A + 4 = -30

        -2J - 2A = -34

So now you have the system of equations

               J = A + 5 
        -2J - 2A = -34

Can you solve that system?  If not post again.

  J = 11,  A = 6

Checking:
 11 is indeed 5 more than 6.
 The product of their ages now = 11×6 = 66
 The product of their ages two years ago = 9×4 = 36
 And sure enough, 36 was 30 less than 66. 

Edwin</pre>