Question 1070685
 Kevin's present age is 1/3 his mother's present age 
k = {{{1/3}}}m
get rid of the fraction, multiply both sides by 3
3k = m
:
if the mother's age was five times his age 6 years ago
m - 6 = 5(k-6)
m - 6 = 5k - 30
m = 5k - 30 + 6
m = 5k - 24
replace m with 3k from the first statement
3k = 5k - 24
3k - 5k = -24
-2k = -24
 k = -24/-2
 k = +12 yrs is Kevin's age
:
 what are their ages ? 
m = 3(12)
m = 36 yrs is Mom's age
:
:
Confirm these solution in the statement
"  the mother's age was five times his age 6 years ago" 
36 - 6 = 5(12 - 6)
30 = 5(6)