Zelma is 18 years older than her son she was three times as old as he was 1 year ago how how old are they now

Zelma's age=x

(x-1) = Zelma's age 1 year ago

son's age = (x-18)

(x-18) - 1 = (x-19) = son's age 1 year ago.

We have to solve this equation:

(x-1) = 3 (x-19)

x-1=3x-57

3x-x=57-1

2x=56

x=56/2

x=28

Zelma's age=x=28

son's age = (x-18) = 28-18=10

Answer: Zelma is 28 years old and her son is 10 years old.