Answer: The jane is 12 years old and Harvey is 36 years old.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let jane's age is defined by J and Harvey's age is defined by H.
It is given that the Harvey is 3 times as old as Jane. It means the age of Harvey is 3 times of the age of jane.
H = 3J ..... (1)
It also given that the sum their ages is 48.
H + J = 48 ..... (2)
Using equation (1), Put H = 3J,
3J + J =48
4J = 48
J = 12
Substitute this value is equation (1).
H = 3(12)
H = 36
Therefore, the Jane's age is 12 and the Harvey's age is 36.