Question

Martina is currently 14 years older than her cousin Joey. In 5 years she will be 3 times as old as Joey. What are their ages?

Answer 1

Joey is 2 years old now and Martina is 16 years old now.

Explanation:

You are comparing the ages of two people and at two different periods of time - the present and in 5 years time.

Let the present age of the younger cousin (Joey) be `x` years.

Martina is 14 years older now. Her age is `(x+14)` years

In 5 years time , they will both be 5 years older than they are now:

Joey will be `x+5 " and "`Martina will be `(x+14)+5 = x+19`

Joey's age, times 3, will be equal to Martina's age....

`3 xx (x+5) = x+19" "larr` solve the equation

`3x+15 = x+19`

`2x = 19-15`

`2x = 4`

`x = 2" "larr` Joey is 2 years old now

Check: Joey is 2 and Martina is 2+14 = 16

In 5 years time: Joey will be 7 and Martina will be 21.

`3xx7 = 21`