Question 867421
today was laura's birthday. she turned 24. laura is twice as old as joe was when laura was as old as joe now. how old is joe now?
<pre>

Laura's present age = 24
Joe's present age = J

Laura who is now 24, is twice as old as Joe was x years ago.

24 = 2(J - x)

Also, x years ago, Laura was as old as Joe's present age

24-x = J

So the system of equations to solve is

{{{system(24=2(J-x),24-x=J)}}}

Edwin</pre>