Three years hence a father will four times as old as his son will be. Before two years he was seven times as old as his son was. Find their present ages.
F= father's age NOW
S = son's age NOW
F+3 = 4( S+3) ( Three years hence a father will four times as old as his son will be.)
F-2 = 7(S-2) (Before two years he was seven times as old as his son was.)
two equations F+3 = 4S+12 and
F-2= 7S-14 solve for either F or S Multiply second equation by -1
-F + 2 = -7S + 14 add this to first eqaution
5 = -3S +26
-21 = -3S you should be able to take it from here.......