<PRE><B>Question 78590</B>
Joe is 10 years older than James.  In 8 years twice Joe’s age will equal 3 times James age.
What are their ages now?

First, let’s determine their ages 8 years from now.  Once that is determined, then we can just subtract 8 years from the answer to get their ages now.  

If Joe’s age is   X       then James age is X-10

Here is the first equation to use.

2 times X =  3 times ( X – 10 )     or  

2X=3(X-10)         	this can become the following
2X=3X-30		add 30 to each side and get the following
2X+30=3X		now subtract 2X from each side and get
30=3X-2X		3X – 2X = 1X  or just X  so…..
30=X

So Joe’s age in 8 years is 30,   James would be 20  (10 years younger)  but their ages now would be

Joe -  30-8=22
James – 20-8=12
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