Write both Tim and Jennifer's age in terms of k
Tim = k
Jennifer = k - 4
Now in 3k years
Tim = k + 3k
Jennifer = k - 4 + 3k
Simplify
Tim= 4k
Jennifer = 4k-4
Now to find average
( Tim + Jennifer)/2
Plug in
(4k + 4k-4)/2
(8k-4)/2
Simplify
4k-2
I hope this is what you're looking for!