Laura is 3 time as old as Maria was when Laura was as old as

brucejin

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Laura is 3 time as old as Maria was when Laura was as old as Maria is now. In 2 years Laura will be twice as old as Maria was 2 years ago. Find their ages.

Laura age is l and Maria age is m.

The second condition says l+2 = 2(m-2)

What does the first sentence say?
 
brucejin said:
Laura is 3 time as old as Maria was when Laura was as old as Maria is now. In 2 years Laura will be twice as old as Maria was 2 years ago. Find their ages.
Laura age is l and Maria age is m.
The second condition says l+2 = 2(m-2)
What does the first sentence say?
It says that Y years ago, Maria was M - Y and Laura was L - Y;
and it says that NOW, Laura is 3(M - Y) [1]
and it says that L - Y = M; so Y = L - M [2]

Substitute [2] in [1] to get:
L = 3(M - (L - M)) ; simplify:
2L = 3M [3]

2nd condition, as you have: L + 2 = 2M - 4 ; so L = 2M - 6 [4]

Substitute [4] in [3] to wrap up...
 
Thanks Denis.

Your explaination is so very clear!

You must be a big teacher.

Thanks!
 
My brains are quite expensive: never been used :idea:
 
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