Moe is 12 years older than Barney. three years ago, moe was five times as old as Barney. how old is Barney now

The answer is 7 years old.

M=12+b

m-3=5 (b-3)

sub 12+b for m

12+b-3=5 (b-3)

expand and combine like terms

b+9=5b-15

minus 4b both sides

9=4b-15

add 15 both sidse

24=4b

divide by 4

6=b

barney is 6

moe is 18

3 years ago, barney is 3 and moe is 15, 3*5=15

barney is 6 now