Answer: 26 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x = current age of Louise (in years).
Then current age of James = x+6
Eight years from now, James's age = x+6+8= x+14
4 years ago, Louise's age = x-4
According to the question
x+14 = 4(x-4)
⇒ x+14 = 4x-16
⇒ 4x-x = 16+14
⇒ 3x = 30
⇒ x= 10 = current age of Louise (in years).
current age of James = 10+6 = 16 years
Sum of current ages = 16+10=26 years.
hence, the sum of the current ages is 26 years.
