Let Ray's age =x
Nick is 30 years less than 3 times Rays age.
Let Nick's age is y
so y=3x-30............(1)
sum of ages =74
x+y=74..................(2)
plug value of y from (1) in (2)
x+3x-30=74
4x-30=74
4x=74+30
4x=104
x=26
So Ray's age =x =26 years
Nick's age =74-26 =48 years
