document.write( "Question 27432: I need a little help with this word problem. I have tried to fiugre out how to write it out into algebraic form...but have been unsuccessful. Any help would be appreciated.
\n" ); document.write( "The inscription on Greek Diophantus' tomb:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "One-sixth of his life God granted him youth. After a twelfth more, he grew a beard. After an additional seventh, he married, and 5 years later, he had a son. Alas, the unfortunate son's life span was only one-half that of his father, who consoled his grief in the remaining 4 years of his lfe.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Use your knowledge to find how many years Diophantus lived. (HINT: let x be the number of years Diophantus lived.)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Again thanks for the help. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #14893 by wuwei96815(245) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The wording of the problem is not totally clear. For instance, \"After a twelfth more, ....\" Does that refer to 1/12 of his total life or some other number? Anyway, I will give it a try.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "1/6x + 1/12x + 1/7x + 5 + 4 = 1/2x
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply each term by a common denominator, in this case 84.
\n" ); document.write( "14x + 7x + 12x + 420 + 336 = 42x
\n" ); document.write( "Combine like terms.
\n" ); document.write( "420 + 336 = -14x - 7x -12x + 42x
\n" ); document.write( "756 = 42x
\n" ); document.write( "18 = x \r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Did I do something wrong? The answer doesn't seem logical. \n" ); document.write( "

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