Question 940963
x = Marissa's age now
96 - x = Diego's age now  {the sum of their ages is 96}


x - 12 = Marissa's age 12 years ago  {subtracted 12 from current age}
84 - x = Diego's age 12 years ago {subtracted 12 from current age}


84 - x = 3(x - 12)   {twelve years ago, Diego was three times Marissa}
84 - x = 3x - 36  {used distributive property}
4x = 120 {added x and added 36 to each side}
x = 30 {divided each side by 4}
96 - x = 66 {substituted 30, in for x, into 96 - x}


Marissa is 30
Diego is 66
<br>For more help from me, visit: <a href = "http://www.algebrahouse.com/algebra-house.html" target = "_blank">www.algebrahouse.com</a><br><br><br>