age problem heeeeeelp

Question

james is half as old as his brother, 12 years from now his brother is thrice as old as him, how old are they now?

Answer 1

J=B/2 or B=2J

B+12 = 3(J+12) = 3J +36

B = 3J +36-12 = 3J+24

2J = 3J +24

J = -24 years old, the brother is -48 years old

There must be a mistake in the problem. Recheck the numbers

if the brother is now twice as old as James now

the older they get the less the ratio of ages, it doesn't grow to thrice at any time if they have positive ages.