Algebra Help??

Question

All I need is the equation for the following problem:
Bart's age is one third of his mother's age. Seven years ago, his age was one fifth hers. How old are both now?


Can someone tell me the equation for this problem?

Answer 1

Let B be Bart's age.
Let M be his mother's age.
Then
M = 3B
(M - 7) = 5(B - 7)

Answer 2

B = 1/3M or 3B = M
B-7 = 1/5(M-7) or 5(B-7) = (M-7)
now substitute in for B or for M

for ex. 5B - 35 = 3B - 7
i hope you can do the rest.