Present ages:
Lilet: x
Margie: 3x
In 15 years:
Lilet: x + 15
Margie: 3x + 15
Equation:
(x+15) + (3x+15) = 38
4x + 30 = 38
4x = 38 - 30
4x = 8
4x/4 = 8/4
x = 2
Present ages:
Lilet: x = 2 years old
Margie: 3x = 3(2) = 6 years old
ANSWER: At present, Margie is 6 years old and Lilet is 2 years old.
Check:
In 15 years, the sum of their ages is 38.
Lilet : 2 + 15 = 17 years old
Margie: 6 + 15 = 21 years old
17 + 21 = 38
38 = 38
