<PRE><B>Question 1172609</B>
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Tutor @ikleyn is absolutely right to show a mental solution using logical reasoning.  You get far more benefit from solving the problem by USING YOUR BRAIN than by performing some rote algebraic process.&lt;br&gt;
However, if a formal algebraic solution is required....&lt;br&gt;
We want to find Cesar&#39;s (current) age, so start by letting that be our variable, x.&lt;br&gt;
Then Melissa&#39;s current age is 52 more than that: x+52.&lt;br&gt;
So 5 years ago, Cesar&#39;s age was x-5, and Melissa&#39;s age was (x+52)-5 = x+47.&lt;br&gt;
Write and solve the equation that says that 5 years ago Melissa&#39;s age was 3 times Cesar&#39;s age:&lt;br&gt;
x+47 = 3(x-5)&lt;br&gt;
Solve using basic algebra.&lt;br&gt;
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