SOLUTION: a man is three times as old as his son. four years ago, he was four times as old as his son was at that time.how old is the son? i think its twelve. i've done it in a trial and

Question 488780: a man is three times as old as his son. four years ago, he was four times as old as his son was at that time.how old is the son?
i think its twelve. i've done it in a trial and error way, but i need a solution..thank you^^
Found 2 solutions by solver91311, dannia22:
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let represent the son's age now. Then the father's age now is . Four years ago the father's age was and that is four times what the son's age was four years ago, namely , so:

Solve for .

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it

Answer by dannia22(1) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
4(x-4)=3x-4
4x-16=3x-4
4x-3x=-4+16
x=12
thank you^^
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