Question 1170973
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E = peter's age right now
A = paul's age right now
Ages are in years.
I went with the second letter of their names since both started with P. Feel free to label your variables however you want.


"The sum of their ages is 24" means E+A = 24. We can solve for E to get E = 24-A.


Five years ago, their ages were E-5 and A-5
The ratio of these past ages was 3:4, which means we can say,
(peter's age 5 years ago)/(paul's age 5 years ago) = 3/4
(E-5)/(A-5) = 3/4
4(E-5) = 3(A-5) .... cross multiply
4E-20 = 3A-15
4(24-A)-20 = 3A-15 ... plug in E = 24-A
96-4A-20 = 3A-15
76-4A = 3A-15
76+15 = 3A+4A
91 = 7A
7A = 91
A = 91/7
A = 13


Paul is currently 13 years old. In three years time, he will be 13+3 = 16 years old.


E = 24-A
E = 24-13
E = 11


Peter is currently 11 years old. In three years time, he will be 11+3 = 14 years old.



Answers:
Peter will be 14 years of age
Paul will be 16 years of age
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