Jessica is 3 years older than Rebecca. In 5 years, she will be 3 times as old as Rebecca was 2 years ago.
Find the girls' present ages.

Question

parthkohli · Answer

Let's try it with an equation.
If Rebecca is $x$, then Jessica is $x + 3$ right?

anonymous · Answer

yes

parthkohli · Answer

Now, just make an equation that looks like:
$x + 3 + 5 = 3(x - 2)$
Got it?

parthkohli · Answer

Then solve the equation.

$ \color{Black}{\Rightarrow x +  8 = 3(x - 2)}$

$ \color{Black}{\Rightarrow x + 8 = 3x - 6}$

Continue, please.

ganpat · Answer

let present age be of Rebecca be x

SO, Jessica = x + 3

(x+3) + 5 = 3 (x -2)
x+ 3+ 5 = 3x - 6 

x + 8 = 3x - 6 
2x = 14 
x = 7 

rebecca = 7 and Jessica = 7 + 3 = 10...

ganpat · Answer

@ParthKohli : shd not it be 

(x+3) + 5 = 3 (x -2) + 5

parthkohli · Answer

I am sorry, but Ganpat is right :)

parthkohli · Answer

$x + 3 + 5 = 3(x - 2) + 5$

anonymous · Answer

Oh I understand now! Thanks guys @Ganpat @ParthKohli

ganpat · Answer

no. i also went wrong :-p , i realized later :D

ganpat · Answer

W/c !!