let jerry's current age = j

tom is 4 years older than jerry, so if t is tom's current age, t = j+4

nine years ago, tom was 5 times as old as jerry

to t-9 = 5(j-9)

substitute the equation for t and then solve for j

t-9 = 5(j-9)

(j+4) - 9 = 5(j-9)

j - 5 = 5j - 45

-4j - 5 = -45

-4j = -40

j = 10

plug this back into the equation for t

t = j+4

t = 10+4

t = 14

Therefore, Tom is currently 14 and Jerry is currently 10.