The sum of jacks age and Todd's age is 34. 5 years ago, the sum of twice jacks age and 3 times Todd's age was 61 how old are they now

Question

I don't how to make the equations to solve for the ages of the two people 

Answer 1

J + T = 34
T = 34-J

5 years ago:

2*(J-5) + 3*(T-5) = 61
2J - 10 + 3T - 15 = 61
2J + 3T - 25 = 61
2J + 3T = 86

2J + 3(34 - J) = 86

2J + 102 - 3J = 86

-J = -16
J=16

Jack is 16
Todd is 18

5 years ago:
Jack was 11 and Todd was 13 and 2*11+3*13 = 22+39 = 61

Answer 2

J + T = 34

T = 34-J

 

5 years ago:

 

 2*(J-5) + 3*(T-5) = 61

 2J - 10 + 3T - 15 = 61

2J + 3T - 25 = 61

2J + 3T = 86

 

2J + 3(34 - J) = 86

 

2J + 102 - 3J = 86

 

-J = -16

J=16

 

Jack is 16

Todd is 18

 

5 years ago:

 Jack was 11 and Todd was 13 and 2*11+3*13 = 22+39 = 61