Five years ago, Max was twice as old as Bert. A year from now, the sum of their ages would be 30. How old are they now? Show your solution.

Max is 17 years old and Bert is 11 years old

Step-by-step explanation:

System of Equations

Let's call

x = current age of Max

y = current age of Bert

x - 5 = age of Max five years ago

y - 5 = age of Bert five years ago

x + 1 = age of Max one year from now

y + 1 = age of Bert one year from now

According to the conditions of the problem:

x - 5 = 2(y - 5)        [1]

x + 1 + y + 1 = 30        [2]

Operating and simplifying [1]:

x - 5 = 2y - 10

x = 2y - 5       [3]

Operating and simplifying [2]:

x + y + 2 = 30

x + y = 28        [4]

Substituting [3] in [4]:

2y - 5 + y = 28

Simplifying:

3y - 5 = 28

3y = 33

y = 33/3

y = 11

From [3]:

x = 2*11 - 5

x = 22 - 5

x = 17

Max is 17 years old and Bert is 11 years old