Final answer:
Jamal's current age can be determined by setting up algebraic equations. He is 6 years older than Christy, and together their ages will sum up to 72 in 8 years. Solving these equations reveals that Jamal is 31 years old now.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find out how old Jamal is now, we can set up a couple of algebraic equations based on the information we have. Let J represent Jamal's current age and C represent Christy's current age. According to the problem, Jamal is 6 years older than Christy, so we can write the first equation as:
J = C + 6
In 8 years, the sum of their ages will be 72, which gives us the second equation:
(J + 8) + (C + 8) = 72
We can substitute the first equation into the second to find Christy's age:
(C + 6 + 8) + (C + 8) = 72
2C + 22 = 72
2C = 50
C = 25
Now that we know Christy is 25, we can find Jamal's age by substituting back:
J = C + 6
J = 25 + 6
J = 31
Therefore, Jamal is 31 years old now.