Question 1022679
J = Jessica's age
N = Nadia's age
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Jessica is 4 years younger than Nadia:
J = N - 4
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Put all the variables on the left side of the equation:
J - N = -4
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8 years ago, Nadia was 3 times as old as Jessica:
N - 8 = 3(J - 8)
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Simplify above:
N - 8 = 3J - 24
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Put all the variables on the left side of the equation:
-3J + N = -16
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List both equations:
J - N = -4
-3J + N = -16
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Add both equations together:
-2J = -20
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Solve for J:
J = 10
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Substitute J = 10 into any of the equations to find N:
J = N - 4
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10 = N - 4
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N = 14
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J = Jessica's age = 10
N = Nadia's age = 14