Present ages:
Rachel: x
Jerome: x + 8
Lawrence: 2(x+8) or 2x + 16
Ages in 8 years, future (present + 8)
Rachel: x + 8
Jerome: x + 8 + 8 or x + 16
Lawrence: 2x + 16 + 8 or 2x + 24
Equation: In 8 years, Lawrence will be three times as old as Pearl.
2x + 24 = 3(x + 8)
3x - 2x = 24 - 24
x = 0
PRESENT AGES:
Rachel: x = 0 age (a baby)
Jerome: 0 + 8 = 8 years old
Lawrence: 2x + 16= 2(0) + 24 = 16 years old
IN 8 YEARS (Present + 8)
Rachel: 0 + 8 = 8 years old
Jerome: 8 + 8 = 16 years old
Lawrence = 16 + 8 = 24 years old
(NOTE: This problem has been asked 3 times in the last 3 days)