A limestone statue is 56 years older than a marble statue. In 12 years, the limestone will be three times as old as the marble statue. Find the present age of the statues.

First, let's assign two variables: one for the name of the limestone statue, and one for the name of the marble statue. 'L' will represent the age of the limestone, and 'm' represents the age of the marble statue.

With the given, we can make two equations:
L = m + 56 (A limestone statue is 56 years older than a marble statue)
L + 12 = 3(m + 12) (In 12 years, the limestone will be three tikes as old as the marble statue)

Thanks to the first equation, we already have a value for L, m + 56.
Input it into the second equation:
(m + 56) + 12 = 3(m + 12)

Simplify:
m + 68 = 3m + 36

Subtract:
68 = 2m + 36

Subtract:
32 = 2m

Divide:
16 = m
Since the limestone statue is 56 years older:
L = 16 + 56 = 72

The marble statue is 16 years old, and the limestone statue is 72 years old.
-T.B.