Answer the following:

Question

The sum of the ages of Rex, Ben, and Alfred is 36 years. Two years ago, Ben was 3 times as old as

Rex was then, and 8 years from now Alfred will be twice as old as Ben will be then. Find the

present ages of each.

Answer 1

R+B + A = 36

B-2 = 3(R-2) = 3R -6

B -3R = -4

R = (B+4)/3

A+8 = 2(B+8) = 2B + 16

A= 2B+ 8

(B+4)/3 + B + 2B + 8 = 36

B+4 + 3B + 6B = (36-8)(3) = 84

10B = 80

B = 8 years old for Ben today

A=24 years old for Alfred today

R=4 years old for Rex today

8+24 + 4 = 36

8-2 = 6 = 3(4-2) = 3(2) = 6

24+8 = 32 = 2(8+8) = 2(16)