Present ages:
Patrick's age: x
Mako's age: y
Equation 1:
x + y = 58
y = 58 - x
Ages 8 years ago:
Patrick's age: x - 8
Mako's age: y - 8 or 58-x-8 or 50-x
Solution:
x - 8 = 2 (50-x)
x - 8 = 100 - 2x
x + 2x = 100 + 8
3x = 108
3x/3 = 108/3
x = 36
Substitute 36 to x in Equation 1:
x + y = 58
36 + y = 58
y = 58 - 36
y = 22
Present ages:
Patrick: x = 36 years old
Mako: y = 22 years old
ANSWER: Mako is 22 years old at present.
Check:
Present ages:
36 + 22 = 58
58 = 58
Ages 8 years ago:
Patrick: 36 - 8 = 28 years old
Mako: 22 - 8 = 14 years old
Patrick's age then was twice as Mako's:
28 = 2 (14)
28 = 28
