Deana and bernice are penpals the sum of their ages is 48 years eight years from now deana will be three bernices age what is bernices age now?

D=deana's age

b=bernice's age

sum is 48

b+d=48

8 years from now, dena will be 3 times bernice age

d+8=3 (b+8)

ok we gots

d+b=48

d+8=3 (b+8)

d+b=48

minus b from both sides

d=48-b

subsitute 48-b into the other equation for d

d+8=3 (b+8)

48-b+8=3 (b+8)

56-b=3b+24

add b to both sides

56=4b+24

minus 24 both sides

32=4b

divide both sides by 4

8=b

bernice is 8 years old