Step 1: Set up a table.
Algebra Age Problems
Step 2: Fill in the table with information given in the question.
John is twice as old as his friend Peter. Peter is 5 years older than Alice. In 5 years, John will be three times as old as Alice. How old is Peter now?
Let x be Peter’s age now. Add 5 to get the ages in 5 yrs.
Algebra Age Problems
Write the new relationship in an equation using the ages in 5 yrs.
In 5 years, John will be three times as old as Alice.
2x + 5 = 3(x – 5 + 5)
2x + 5 = 3x
Isolate variable x
x = 5
Answer: Peter is now 5 years old.