Question

Harvey is 3 times as old as Jane. The sum of their ages is 48 years. Find the age of each.

Answer 1

Jane: x
Harvey: 3x
48= x+3x 
so 48=4x
x=12
Jane is 12 and Harvey is 36

Answer 2

Let janes age be x 
let Harvey's age be 3x (as three times old as jane)
x+3x=48
4x=48
x=48/4
there fore x= 12
janes age= 12 
Harvey's age = 3x
                     =3*12
                     =36