could someone help me with this math problem?

Question

Jack is 3 times as old as Lacy. 3 years ago the sum of their ages was 26. How old are they now?

Answer 1

Hi Jared.

 

Let's see what we know here.

 

From the first sentence

J = Jack's age now

L = Lacy's age now

J = 3L

 

From the second sentence

J-3 = Jack's age 3 years ago

L-3 = Lacy's age 3 years ago

J-3 + L-3 = 26

 

Since we know J=3L, let's substitute this into the equation from the 2nd sentence.

 

3L-3 + L-3 = 26

4L-6 = 26

4L = 32

L = 8

 

If Lacy is 8, Jack is 24 (3x8)