SOLUTION: John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14 years more than twice as old as his son was then. How old is John?

Question 341326: John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14 years more than twice as old as his son was then. How old is John?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son.
Six years ago, he was 14 years more than twice as old as his son was then.
How old is John?
:
Let j = John's present age
Let s = son's present age
:
Write a equation for each statement:
:
"John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son."
j = 3s - 13
;
" Six years ago, he was 14 years more than twice as old as his son was then."
j - 6 = 2(s-6) + 14
j - 6 = 2s - 12 + 14
j - 6 = 2s + 2
j = 2s + 2 + 6
j = 2s + 8
:
Replace j with (3s-13) from the 1st statement:
3s - 13 = 2s + 8
3s - 2s = 8 + 13
s = 21 yrs is the son's age
:
How old is John? j = 3s - 13
j = 3(21) - 13
j = 63 - 13
j = 50 yrs is John's age
:
:
Check solutions in the statement:
"Six years ago, he was 14 years more than twice as old as his son was then. "
50 - 6 = 2(21 - 6) + 14
44 = 2(15) + 14; confirms our solution
RELATED QUESTIONS
John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14 years more (answered by nyc_function)

John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14 years more (answered by dabanfield)

John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14 years more (answered by richwmiller)

John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14 years more (answered by conor.williams)

John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14 years more (answered by stanbon)

John is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14 years more (answered by ptaylor)

Mr. Jackons is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. six years ago he was 14... (answered by Paul)

Mr. Jackson is 13 years less than 3 times as old as his son. Six years ago, he was 14... (answered by stanbon)

Mr. Jackson is 13 years less than three times as old as his son. Six years ago he was... (answered by Maths68)