in 5 years chase will be three times as old as jared. the sum of their ages is 42. how old are chase and jared?

Answer 1

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

Now just solve for c and j.

Answer 2

c=13
j=29

Answer 3

huh? In 5 years 13+5=18 and 29+5=34
Clearly chase is not 3 times as old a jared.

So, let's try that again.
c = 42-j
42-j+5 = 3j+15
32 = 4j
j = 8
So, c=34

In 5 years,
jared is 13
chase is 39 = 3*13

Too bad you didn't show your work ...