p = Pat's age
j = James's age
[tex]\it Pat \ is \ 20 \ years \ older \ than \ James \Rightarrow p=j+20\ \ \ \ \ (2)\\ \\ In \ two \ years \Rightarrow p+2=2(j+2) \Rightarrow p+2=2j+4|_{-2} \Rightarrow p=2j+2\ \ \ \ (2)\\ \\ (1),\ (2) \Rightarrow 2j+2=j+20 \Rightarrow 2j-j=20-2 \Rightarrow j=18\ \ \ \ \ (3)\\ \\ (1),\ (3) \Rightarrow p=20+18=38[/tex]
Pat is 38 years old.
