Question 997849
f = father's present age
s = son's present age
:
write an equation for each statement, simplify
 Two years ago a father was four times as old as his son.
f - 2 = 4(s - 2)
f - 2 = 4s - 8
f = 4s - 8 + 2
f = 4s - 6
 Three years from now the father will be only three times as old as the son.
f + 3 = 3(s + 3)
f + 3 = 3s + 9
f = 3s + 9 - 3
f = 3s + 6
:
Replace f with (4s-6) from the 1st equation
4s - 6 = 3s + 6
4s - 3s = 6 + 6
s = 12 yrs is the son's age
:
Use the equation; f = 3s + 6 to find f
f = 3(12) + 6
f = 42 yrs is father's age
:
How old is each now? 42 & 12
:
:
You can check to see if this is true in both statements