Question 1004538
If Josie were born 4 years earlier, she would be 2 less than twice 
her age if she were born 4 years later. how old is she now
<pre>
Let x = Josie's true age
Then x+4 = what Josie's age would have been if she were born 
4 years earlier
And x-4 = what Josie's age would have been if she were born
4 years later

{{{matrix(1,5,

(matrix(13,1,

what,"Josie's",age,would,have,been,if,she,were,born,4,years,earlier)),""="",
2*(matrix(13,1,

what,"Josie's",age,would,have,been,if,she,were,born,4,years,later)),""+"",2)))}}}

{{{(x+4) = 2*(x-4)+2}}}

{{{x+4=2x-8+2}}}

{{{x+4=2x-6}}}

{{{-x=-10}}}

{{{x=10}}}

She is actually 10 years old.

Checking: 
If she had been born 4 years earlier she would be 14.
If she had been born 4 years later she would be 6.

Twice 6 is 12
2 more than 12 is 14.

The answer, 10 years old, is correct.

Edwin</pre>