let

j = the present age of Jose

l = the present age of Lara

Jose is now twice as old as Lara:

j = 2l

Five years ago he was 3 times as old as Lara:

j - 5 = 3(l - 5)

by solving the system of equations:

j = 2l

j - 5 = 3(l - 5)

we find:

j = 20 years

l = 10 years

click here to see the step by step solution of the system of equations:

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Jose is 20 years old now.

Lara is 10 years old now.