Max is 24 years older than his son, Liam. In two years, Liam will be half as old as Max. How old is Max now?

X = Liam's age now x + 24 = Max's age now x + 2 = Liam's age in 2 years x + 26 = Max's age in 2 years x + 2 = 1/2 (x + 26) {in two years, Liam will be half as old as Max} x + 2 = 1/2x + 13 {used distributive property} x = 1/2x + 11 {subtracted 2 from both sides} 1/2x = 13 {subtracted 1/2x from both sides} x = 22 {divided both sides by 1/2 or multiplied by reciprocal, 2}