<PRE><B>Question 1030468</B>
Hi there,
clatheria is 40 years elder than clare
(Ct = Clatheria: Cl = Claire)
Ct = 40 + Cl........(1)
5 years ago clatheria was 3 times as old as clare. 
Ct - 5 = 3(Cl - 5)......(2)
Replace Ct in Eq(2) with
(40 + Cl) from Eq(1)
40 + Cl - 5 = 3(Cl - 5)
40 + Cl - 5 = 3Cl - 15
Collect like terms:
Cl - 3Cl = -15 + 5 - 40
-2Cl = -50
2Cl = 50
Cl = 25
Claire is 25 years old
Clatheria is 65 years old.
Proof:
5 years ago clatheria was 3 times as old as clare. 
65 - 5 = 3(25 - 5)
60 = 3(20)
Hope this helps :-)</PRE>