Solution:
1. Define variables:
- Let a be the age of Andrés.
- Let q be the age of Quan.
2. Set up the equations based on the problem:
- Andrés is three times as old as Quan: a = 3q
- The sum of their ages is 69: a + q = 69
3. Substitute a = 3q into the second equation:
3q + q = 69
4. Simplify the equation:
4q = 69
5. Solve for q:
q = \frac{69}{4}
6. Compute q:
q = 17.25
7. Find a using the equation a = 3q:
a = 3 \times 17.25
8. Compute a:
a = 51.75
Therefore:
- Quan is approximately 17.25 years old.
- Andrés is approximately 51.75 years old.