SOLUTION: The question is:
"Five years ago Paul was 3 times as old as Erin. Now he is twice as old as Erin How old are they?"
I made a chart on the information like my math teacher tau
Algebra.Com
Question 714742: The question is:
"Five years ago Paul was 3 times as old as Erin. Now he is twice as old as Erin How old are they?"
I made a chart on the information like my math teacher taught me and I got the following (I don't know if it is right):
People Now 5 years ago
Paul 2(n) 3(n-5)
Erin n n-5
I don't know what to do for the equation in order to solve for 'n'.
Thank you for your help!
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use TWO variables. The problem description gives ways to relate the ages of the two people.
Let p = paul's age 5 years ago
Let e = erin's age 5 years ago
We do not know either of their ages. NOW is ADDITIONAL 5 years, which is why you find some use of addition in the "NOW" column.
PEOPLE _______________NOW_________________5 Years Ago
Paul__________________________
Erin___________________________________
The table shows, as taken directly from the description and assignment of variables, TWO equations and TWO unknown variables. Our system to begin with is obviously this:
SYSTEM:--------------
---------------------
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Using the second equation to substitute for p into the first equation is a simple matter. , ,
, 5 years ago.
and it follows that p=3e=3(5)=15, , 5 years ago.
RELATED QUESTIONS
In 7 years, Erin will be twice as old as she was 8 years ago. how old is Erin... (answered by stanbon,Kassie14,Fombitz)
Erin is 5 times as old as her daughter Megan. In 6 years Erin will be 3 times as old as... (answered by advanced_Learner)
A father is now twice as old as his daughter. 10 years ago he was 3 times as old as her.... (answered by J2R2R)
A father is three times as old as his son. Six years ago he was five times as old as his... (answered by Cromlix)
Four years ago Paul was three times as old as Robert. How old is Paul... (answered by Alan3354)
10 years ago, mike was four times as old as Liza. Now he is only twice as old as Liza.... (answered by math_helper)
A father is three times as old as his son .Six years ago he was five times as old as his... (answered by Alan3354)
dr.kawasaki is twice as old as his son. twenty years ago, he was 4 times as old as his... (answered by mananth)
a father is now four times as old as his son. five years ago he was seven times as old as (answered by stanbon)