Question 1153652
.


            It can be solved in much simpler way.

            You do not need to use the system of two equations.

            One equation is totally enough.



<pre>
Let x be the Shauna's age;

then the Jason's age is 3x years.


In 4 years time, the Shauna's age will be (x+4) years, while the Jason's age will be (3x+4) years.


The condition says


    (x+4) + (3x+4) = 56  years.


It is your basic equation. Simplify it and solve for x


    4x + 8 = 56

    4x = 56 - 8 = 48

    4x = 48

     x = {{{48/4}}} = 12.


<U>ANSWER</U>.  Shauna is 12 years old;  Jason is 3*12 = 36 years old.
</pre>


&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You even may to solve the problem MENTALLY.



<pre>
In 4 years, the sum of their ages will be 56  ----  hence, the sum of their ages now  is 56-4-4 = 48 years.


At the same time, Jason's age is 3 times Shauna's age  --- hence, they are 12 and 36 years,
and this simple calculation you can do in your mind (!), obtaining the <U>SAME ANSWER</U>.
</pre>

Surely, both solutions use the same logic.


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There is a bunch of lessons on age word problems 

&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 problems</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>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Age-problems-for-mental-solution.lesson>Age problems for mental solution</A> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Miscellaneous-age-problem.lesson>Miscellaneous age problems</A> 

in this site.


Read them and become an expert in solving age problems.


Also, &nbsp;you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson>ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK</A>.


The referred lessons are the part of this online textbook under the topic "<U>Age word problems</U>".



Save the link to this online textbook together with its description


Free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson


to your archive and use it when it is needed.