mary's age is 2/3 of peter's. Two years ago mary's age was 1/2 of what peter's age will be in 5 years time. How old is peter now?

Answer 1

Peter's present age ---> x
Mary's present age ---> (2/3)x

Mary's age two yrs ago = (2/3)x - 2
Peter's age 5 yrs from now = x+5

"Two years ago mary's age was 1/2 of what peter's age will be in 5 years time." ---> (2/3)x - 2 = (1/2)(x + 5)
multiply by 6
4x - 12 = 3x + 15
x = 27

Peter is now 27 and Mary is now 18

check:
Mary's age 2 yrs ago = 16
Peter's age 5 yrs from now = 27+5 = 32
Is 16 one-half of 32 ??
Looks good

Answer 2

thx