Question 974800
x = daughter's age
3x - 3 = mother's age {a mother's age is 3 less than 3 times her daughter's age}


x + 3x - 3 = 45 {sum of ages is 45}
4x - 3 = 45 {combined like terms}
4x = 48 {added 3 to each side}
x = 12 {divided each side by 4}
3x - 3 = 33 {substituted 12, in for x, into 3x - 3}


mother's age is 33
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