Question 876138
Let {{{ a }}} = Sammie's age now
Let {{{ b }}} = Linda's age now
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{{{ a + 4 }}} = Sammie's age in 4 yrs
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(1) {{{ a + 4 = ( 1/2 )*b }}}
(2) {{{ b = 3a - 8 }}}
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Substitute (2) into (1)
(1) {{{ a + 4 = ( 1/2 )*( 3a - 8 ) }}}
(1) {{{ 2a + 8 = 3a - 8 }}}
(1) {{{ a = 16 }}}
and
(2) {{{ b = 3a - 8 }}}
(2) {{{ b = 3*16 - 8 }}}
(2) {{{ b = 40 }}}
Linda is 40
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check:
If Sammie were {{{ 16 + 4 = 20 }}}
he would be half as old as Linda
{{{ 20 = (1/2)*40 }}}
{{{ 20 = 20 }}}
OK
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Linda is eight less than three times as old as Sammie
{{{ 40 = 3*16 - 8 }}}
{{{ 40 = 40 }}}
OK