need help answering this word problem

Question

The sum of the ages of Juan and Sonya is 84 years. 6 years ago, Juan's age was 3 times Sonya's age. How old is Juan now?

Answer 1

j = Juan's age now, j - 6 = Juan's age six years ago.

s = Sonya's age now, s - 6 = Sonya's age six years ago.

 

Today

j + s = 84

 

Six years ago

(j - 6) = 3(s - 6)

 

j - 6 = 3s - 18

j = 3s - 12               j + s = 84, j = 84 - s

84 - s = 3s - 12

96 = 4s

24 = s

 

j = 84 - 24

j = 60

 

Juan is 60 and Sonya is 24.