SOLUTION: Diaphantos, a famous mathematician spent 1/6 of his life as child, 1/12 as adolescent, 1/7 as bachelor. Five years after he was maried , he had son who died before 4 years before

Question 163757This question is from textbook Intermediate Al greba
: Diaphantos, a famous mathematician spent 1/6 of his life as child, 1/12 as adolescent, 1/7 as bachelor. Five years after he was maried , he had son who died before 4 years before his father at half his father's final age. How long did Diaphantos live? This question is from textbook Intermediate Al greba

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(12701) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This problem came up a few weeks ago, this is what I submitted then
:
Diophantus passed one-sixth of his life in childhood, one-twelfth in youth, one-seventh more as a bachelor. Five years after his marriage, a son was born who died four years before his father, at half his father's [final] age. How old was Diophantus when he died.
:
Let x = his final age
:
a lengthy but simple equation
Final age = child + youth + bach + marriage + son's age + 4
x = x + x + x + 5 + x + 4
:
Common denominator of 12*7 = 84
x = x + x + x + 5 + x + 4
:
x = x + 9
:
x - x = 9
:
x = 9
:
x = 84 is his final age
:
Check:
14 + 7 + 12 + 5 + 42 + 4 = 84