Question 947745
let j = Jason's present age
let s = Shauna's age
:
Write an equation for each statement
:
"Jason's age is 3 times Shauna's present age."
j = 3s
" In 4 years time, the sum of their ages will be 56 years."
4 yrs later
(j+4) + (s+4) = 56
j + s + 8 = 56
j + s = 56 - 8
j + s = 48
substitute 3s for j from the 1st statement
3s + s = 48
4s = 48
 s = 48/4
 s = 12 yrs is Shauna's age
then
3(12) = 36 yrs is Jason's age
;
:
See if the this checks out in the 2nd statement
(36 + 4) + (12 + 4) = 
40 + 16 = 56