Three years ago Tom was twice as old as Jean. And in two years the sum of their ages will be 28 years. Find their present ages.

Jean is 9 years old and Tom is 15 years old.

Step-by-step explanation:

let t = Tom's present age

let j = Jean's age

Three years ago, Tom was twice as old as Jean,

t-3 = 2(j-3)

t - 3 = 2j - 6

t = 2j - 6 + 3

t = 2j - 3

In two years the sum of their ages will be 28 years.

(t+2) + (j+2) = 28

t + j + 4 = 28

t + j = 28 - 4

t + j = 24

For their present ages, replace t with (2j-3) from the 1st statement

2j - 3 + j = 24

2j + j = 24 + 3

3j = 27

j = 27/3

j = 9 yrs is Jean's age

Find Tom's age

t = 2(9) - 3

t = 15 yrs is Tom's age