Question 1148599
<br>
The solution by the other tutor is quite likely the expected answer.<br>
However, the wording of the question is probably incorrect.  With the correct interpretation of the given information, we get a different answer.<br>
In everyday use, "3 times OLDER THAN" is (carelessly) used to mean the same thing as "3 times AS OLD AS".  However, grammatically the two are different.<br>
"3 times AS OLD AS x" clearly means "3x".
"3 times OLDER THAN x" means x, plus 3 more times x, which is 4x.<br>
So, with the grammatically correct interpretation of the given information, we have...<br>
x = Gary's age now
x-2 = Gary's age 2 years ago
4(x-2) = his grandfather's age 2 years ago<br>
The difference in their ages (always, including 2 years ago) is 48 years:<br>
{{{4(x-2)-(x-2) = 48}}}
{{{3(x-2) = 48}}}
{{{x-2 = 16}}}
{{{x = 18}}}<br>
Gary is 18; his grandfather is 18+48 = 66.<br>