Question 935181
x = Nick's age now
x + 9 = Sam's age now {Sam is 9 years older than Nick}



x - 7 = Nick's age 7 years ago
x + 2 = Sam's age 7 years ago  {subtracted 7 from age now}


x + 2 = 4(x - 7)   {seven years ago, Sam was four times Nick}
x + 2 = 4x - 28 {used distributive property}
3x = 30 {added 28 and subtracted x from each side}
x = 10 {divided each side by 3}
x + 9 = 19 {substituted 10, in for x, into x + 9}


Sam is 19
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