document.write( "Question 9386: The ages of the two brothers are in the ratio of 5:4. Four years ago their ages were in the ration of 11:8, find their present ages. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #5104 by mathmaven53(29) ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Let the brothers ages be x and y\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " x/y = 5/4\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " Four years ago their ages were x-4 and y-4\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " (x-4)/(y-4) = 11/8\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " Cross multiply terms in each equation and simplify\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " We get 4x - 5y = 0\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " 8x - 11y = -12\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " Solving gives x = 15 and y = 12\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " The brothers ages are 15 and 12 \n" ); document.write( " |