Question 1042191
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In five years time, John will be three times as old he was nine years a go. How old is he now? 
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<pre>
Let x be John's age now.

In five years time, John's age will be (x+5).

Nine years ago John was (x-9) years.

The condition says that 

x + 5 = 3*(x-9).

Simplify and solve it for x:

x + 5 = 3x - 27  --->  5+27 = 2x  --->  2x = 32  --->  x = {{{32/2}}} = 16.

<U>Answer</U>.  John is 16 years old now.

<U>Check</U>:  1) 16+5 = 21;  2) 16-9 = 7;  3) 21 = 7*3.   Checked - OK!
</pre>

For solved age problems see the lessons

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Age-problems-and-their-solutions.lesson>Age problems and their solutions</A>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Fresh-formulation-of-a-traditional-age-problem.lesson>A fresh formulation of a traditional age problem</A>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Really-intricate-age-word-problem.lesson>Really intricate age word problem</A>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Selected-age-word-problems-from-the-archive.lesson>Selected age word problems from the archive</A>

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