Question 850812
Let {{{ m }}} = Maggie's age now
Let {{{ s }}} = Samuel's age now
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(1) {{{ m = 4s }}}
(2) {{{ m + 5 = 3*( s + 5 ) - 6 }}}
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Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) {{{ 4s + 5 = 3*( s + 5 ) - 6 }}}
(2) {{{ 4s + 5 = 3s + 15 - 6 }}}
(2) {{{ s = 15 - 6 - 5 }}}
(2) {{{ s = 4 }}}
and
(1) {{{ m = 4s }}}
(1) {{{ m = 16 }}}
Samuel is 4 now
check:
(2) {{{ m + 5 = 3*( s + 5 ) - 6 }}}
(2) {{{ 16 + 5 = 3*( 4 + 5 ) - 6 }}}
(2) {{{ 21 = 3*9 - 6 }}}
(2) {{{ 21 = 27 - 6 }}}
(2) {{{ 21 = 21 }}}
OK