Question 1174662
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It is good to know how to solve a problem like this using formal algebra.  Two other tutors have shown you different ways to do that.<br>
But you can get valuable mental exercise solving the problem informally, using logical reasoning and simple arithmetic.<br>
In 5 years, the sum of the two ages will be 64.  That means the sum of their current ages is 54.<br>
Two equal ages with a sum of 54 would be 27 and 27.  Starting from there, to get two ages with the same sum of 54 but with a difference of 8 years, add 4 years to one of the ages and subtract 4 years from the other.  That gives two ages of 31 and 23.<br>
So their current ages are 23 and 31.<br>