Question

In 5 years Chim will be three times as old as Jared. The sum of their ages is 42. How old are Chim and Jared.

Answer 1

chim is 34 jared is 8

Answer 2

Chim is 34 years old, and Jared is 8 years old.

Explanation:

Let c be Chim's age and j be Jared's age.

Chim's age after five years (c + 5)

is 3 times Jared's age after five years (3 * (j+5) )

#1: c + 5 = 3(j+5)

We can add Chim's age and Jared's age to get 42 (the "sum"):

#2: c + j = 42

This is a system of equations that we can solve through substitution:

c + 5 = 3(j+5)

c + j = 42

In Equation #2, we can subtract j from both sides:

c = 42 - j

Then replace c with 42 - j in the first equation

(42 - j) + 5 = 3(j+5)

47 - j = 3j + 15

32 = 4j

j = 32/4 = 8

Plug j = 8 into the second equation, then solve for c.

c + 8 = 42

c = 42 - 8 = 34

c = 34, j = 8

Check our work by plugging in c = 34 and j = 8 into the first equation:

34 + 5 = 3(8+5)

39 = 3*13

39 = 39

Plug c and j into the second equation:

34 + 8 = 42

42 = 42

Chim is 34 years old, Jared is 8 years old.