Question

HELP PLS ITS URGENT

three years ago, Melanie was 6 times as old as her brother Kevin, and in 5 years she will be only twice as old as Kevin. find their current ages

Answer 1

Melanie: 15 years old

Kevin: 5 years old

Assume Kevin's present age is x.

That means that 3 years ago, his age would be x - 3.

Melanie's age would be 6(x - 3).

Same thing for 5 years into the future:

Kevin's age would be x + 5.

Melanie's age would be 2(x + 5).

The two equations we have here are:

`\left \{ {{x + 5 = 2(x + 5)} \atop {x - 3 = 6(x - 3)}} \right.`

By subtracting both equations, we are simplified to:

8 = -4x + 28

By solving the equation, we get x = 5.

That means that Kevin's current age is 5 years old.

Melanie's age could be calculated by substituting Kevins'.

6(x - 3) --> 6(5 - 3) --> 12

Since that was 3 years ago, you need to add 3 to 12 to get her current age.

12 + 3 = 15

Melanie's current age is 15 years old.