Question 984914
10 years ago, Noel was 1/3 the age of Alecs. 10 years ago Alec was 9 years old, so 10 years ago Noel was 3 years old. (1/3)(9 years). Now, ten years later, Noel is 3 years +10 years=13 years old.
ANSWER: Noel is 13 tears old.
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NOTE: Three times less the age makes no sense. If Alecs was 10 years old and Noel was 1 time less, 1 times 9 yrs is 9 yrs and 9 yrs-9 yrs is zero, so Noel would be zero. Two times less would be 2 times 9 years=18 years and  9 years-18 years would make Noel -9 years old. Three times less would be -18 years old.
This question should be re-phrased to have proper meaning: Ten years ago Noel was 1/3 Alec's age, not three times less.