Question 991055
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<B>Answer</B>. &nbsp;20 &nbsp;and &nbsp;14 after &nbsp;2 years; correspondingly, &nbsp;18 &nbsp;and &nbsp;12 &nbsp;is present age now.


The tip: &nbsp;after two years the difference in their ages will be the same, &nbsp;6 years.


Let &nbsp;<B>x</B>&nbsp; and &nbsp;<B>y</B>&nbsp; are their ages after &nbsp;2&nbsp; years. &nbsp;Then you have the system


{{{system(x-y = 6,
xy=280)}}}.


Express &nbsp;x&nbsp; from the first equation, x = y+6, and substitute it into the second equation. &nbsp;You will get


(y+6)*y = 280,


{{{y^2}}} + {{{6y}}} - {{{280}}} = {{{0}}}.


The roots are &nbsp;14&nbsp; and &nbsp;-20.


Only positive root suits the condition. 


Next, &nbsp;take off &nbsp;2&nbsp; years.