SOLUTION: Sandra is 36 years old. her son is 14 years old. how many years ago was Sandra 3 times older than her son?

Question 869966: Sandra is 36 years old. her son is 14 years old. how many years ago was Sandra 3 times older than her son?

Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = the number of years

If we subtract x from each age, we get

Sandra's age x yrs ago: 36 - x
Son's age x yrs ago: 14 - x

We want to know when she was 3 times older, so

(Sandra's age x years ago) = 3*(Son's age x yrs ago)

36 - x = 3*(14 - x)

Now we solve for x

36 - x = 3*(14 - x)

36 - x = 3*(14) + 3*(-x)

36 - x = 42 - 3x

36 = 42 - 3x + x

36 - 42 = -3x + x

-6 = -2x

-6/(-2) = x

3 = x

x = 3

So 3 years ago, Sandra was 3 times older than her son (sandra = 33 years, son = 11 years)
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Sandra is 36 years old. her son is 14 years old. how many years ago was Sandra 3 times older than her son?
------
Let the number of years be "x"::
Equation:
36-x = 3(14-x)
------
36-x = 42-3x
-x + 3x = 42-36
2x = 6
x = 3 years ago
-----------------------
Checking::
36-3 = 3(14-3)
33 = 3(11)
Cheers,
Stan H.
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