Joy is 20 years older than Bob. Three years ago, Joy was 5 times as old as Bob. How old are they now?

2 answers

ages now:
Bob ---- x
Joy -----x+20

ages 3 years ago:
Bob --- x-3
Joy ---- x+20 - 3 = x+17

at that time, Joy was 5 times as old as Bob
---> x+17 = 5(x-3)

x+17 = 5x - 15
-4x = - 32
x = 33/4 = 8

Bob is now 8 years, Joy is 28

Three years ago, Bob was 5 ,and Joy was 25
Was she 5 times as old as Bob, YES!!
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