Let F = the Father's age
Let D = the Daughter's age
Let x = number of years the father is older than his daughter.
Thus F-x = D.
when the father was the same age as his daughter is now, she was 4 years old.
The father was the daughter's present age x years ago.
x years ago the daughter was D-x or 4, so D-x = 4
when the daughter becomes the same age as her father is now, her father will
be 79
She will become the father's age x years from now.
x years from now the father will be his present age plus x years, so F+x = 79.
We have three equations and three unknowns:
(1) F-x = D
(2) D-x = 4
(3) F+x = 79
Use (1) to substitute F-x for D in (2)
(F-x)-x = 4
F-x-x = 4
(4) F-2x = 4
Subtract equation (4) from equation (3)
(F+x)-(F-2x) = 79-4
F+x-F+2x = 75
3x = 75
x = 25
Substitute 25 for x in (2)
(2) D-x = 4
D-25 = 4
D = 29
Substitute 25 for x in (3)
(3) F+x = 79
F+25 = 79
F = 54
So the Father is 54 and the daughter is 29.
Edwin