Answer: 9 years
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the present age of Ashley be x.
Then the present age of Alfonso =x+8
Five years ago,
Ashley's age = x-5
Alfonso's age = x+8-5 = x+3
According to the question,
[tex]x+3=3(x-5)\\\Rightarrow\ x+3=3x-15\\\Rightarrow\ 3x-x=3+15\\\Rightarrow\ 2x=18\\\Rightarrow\ x=\frac{18}{2}\\\Rightarrow\ x=9[/tex]
Hence, the present age of Ashley =9 years
