Christopher is 20 years younger than Isaiah. Isaiah and Christopher first met two years ago. 14 years ago, Isaiah was three times as old is Christopher. How old is Isaiah now

Question

Christopher is 20 years younger than Isaiah. Isaiah and Christopher first met two years ago. 14 years ago, Isaiah was three times as old is Christopher. How old is Isaiah now

Answer 1

Let i = Isaiah's current age

Let c = Chistopher's current age

Christopher is 20 years younger than Isaiah.

c = i - 20

14 years ago, Isaiah was three times as old as Christopher.

(i - 14) = 3(c - 14)

We have two unknowns and two equations,

so we can solve for i and c.

(i - 14) = 3(c - 14)

Use c = i - 20

(i - 14) = 3(i-20 - 14) Substitute for c

i - 14 = 3(i - 34)

i - 14 = 3i - 102

i + 88 = 3i

88 = 2i

44 = i

Isaiah is now 44 years old.