SOLUTION: A father is six times as old as his son. Two years ago he was eight times as old. Find the son's age.

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Question 457222: A father is six times as old as his son. Two years ago he was eight times as old. Find the son's age.
Found 3 solutions by josmiceli, algebrahouse.com, karthiktcs:
Answer by josmiceli(9817) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +f+ = Father's age now
Let +s+ = Son's age now
given:
(1) +f+=+6s+
(2) +f+-+2+=+8%2A%28s+-+2%29+
--------------------
(2) +f+-+2+=+8s+-+16+
(2) +8s+-+f+=+16+-+2+
(2) +8s+-+f+=+14+
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +8s+-+6s+=+14+
(2) +2s+=+14+
(2) +s+=+7+
The Son is 7 now
check:
(1) +f+=+6s+
(1) +f+=+6%2A7+
(1) +f+=+42+
(2) +f+-+2+=+8%2A%28s+-+2%29+
(2) +42+-+2+=+8%2A%287+-+2%29+
(2) +40+=+8%2A5+
(2) +40+=+40+
OK

Answer by algebrahouse.com(1079) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x = son's age now
6x = father's age now {father is six times as old as his son}

x - 2 = son two years ago
6x - 2 = father two years ago

6x - 2 = 8(x - 2) {two years ago the father was eight times as old as his son}
6x - 2 = 8x - 16 {used distributive property}
-2 = 2x - 16 {subtracted 6x from both sides}
14 = 2x {added 16 to both sides}
x = 7 {divided both sides by 2}

son is 7 years old now
www.algebrahouse.com

Answer by karthiktcs(3) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let the present age of son be x
and father age be 6x
two years ago
(6x-2)=8(x-2)
6x-2=8x-16
6x-2-8x+16
-2x+14=0
14=2x
x=7