use a trial and error strategy to solve this problem.two years ago sam was two-thirds of pam's age. in three years sam will be three-fourths of pam's age. in 20 years the sum of their ages will be 69. how old is sam?

Answer 1

2 Years ago:
Pam: X yrs. old.
Sam: 2x/3 yrs. old.

3 yrs. later:
Pam: x+3 yrs. old.
Sam: 2x/3 + 3 yrs. old

2x/3 + 3 = 3/4(x+3).
2x/3 + 3 = 3x/4+9/4
8x + 36 = 9x + 27.
X = 9.
So Pam is 3 yrs. older than Sam.
In 20 yrs.:
x + (x+3) = 69.
2x = 66.
X = 33.
X+3 = 36.

Today:
Sam: 33 - 20 = 13 yrs. old.