Question

Jera and Bipu are friends. Jera’s age 5 years ago was 20 less than Bipu’s age in 8 years. Bipu’s age 5 years ago was 34 years less than twice Jera’s age in 8 years. How old are they at present?

Answer 1

• Jera is 20
• Bipu is 27

Explanation:

Let j and b represent Jera's and Bipu's current ages.

j-5 = (b +8) -20 . . . . . Jera's age 5 years ago was 20 less than Bipu's age in 8 years

b-5 = 2(j+8) -34 . . . . .Bipu's age 5 years ago was 34 less than Jera's age in 8 years

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Solving the first equation for j gives ...

j = b + 8 -20 + 5

j = b -7

Using that in the second equation, we get ...

b -5 = 2((b -7)+8) -34

0 = b -27 . . . . . . . subtract (b-5) and simplify

b = 27

j = 27 -7 = 20

Jera is 20; Bipu is 27.