Use the three steps to solve the problem. joe is 10 years older than james. in 8 years, twice joe's age will equal three times james's age. how old is each now? {james is yrs., joe is yrs.}

x = Joe's age  and y = James's age 
Joe is 10 years older than James - equation - x = y + 10 
In 8 years twice Joe's age will equal three times James's age - equation -
2(x+8) = 3(y+8) 

2(x+8) = 3(y+8) 
2(y + 10 +8) = 3(y+8) { substitute y + 10 for x 
2(y + 18) = 3(y + 8) 
2y + 36 = 3y + 24 
12 = y 

Joe is 22 and James is 12.