Question 754154
Let {{{ m }}} = Michael's age now
Let {{{ b }}} = Brodie's age now
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The difference in their ages never changes, so
{{{ m = b + 36 }}}
{{{ m = 7b }}}
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By substitution:
{{{ 7b = b - 36 }}}
{{{ 6b = 36 }}}
{{{ b = 6 }}}
and, since
{{{ m = b + 36 }}}
{{{ m = 6 + 36 }}}
{{{ m = 42 }}}
42 = Michael's age now
6 = Brodie's age now
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check:
{{{ m = 7b }}}
{{{ 42 = 7*6 }}}
{{{ 42 = 42 }}}
and
{{{ m = b + 36 }}}
{{{ 42 = 6 + 36 }}}
{{{ 42 = 42 }}}
OK