Final answer:
The total age of James, John, and Jude 3 years ago would be 71 years. This is calculated by subtracting 9 years (3 years for each person) from their current combined age of 80 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the total age of James, John, and Jude 3 years ago, we need to subtract 3 years from each of their current ages before adding them together. Given their total current age is 80 years, we need to account for each person aging 3 years less since we're looking back in time.
First, let's express this process mathematically. If the current total age is 80 years, then 3 years ago, each person would be 3 years younger. With 3 people involved, we subtract 3 years multiplied by the number of people:
Total age 3 years ago = Current total age - (3 years × number of people)
Total age 3 years ago = 80 years - (3 years × 3 people)
Total age 3 years ago = 80 years - 9 years
Total age 3 years ago = 71 years
Hence, the total age of James, John, and Jude 3 years ago was 71 years.