document.write( "Question 97007: Ben wanted to know how old his friend Mr. Fister was. Mr. Fister told him, \"I started school when I was 4.5, and I stayed at the school for 1/3 of my life. I was then in the army for 1/5 of my life, and when I left the army I spent 1/4 of my life as a clerk. Now, I have spent 1/3 of my life in retirement.\" How old is Mr. Fister? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #70622 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Ben wanted to know how old his friend Mr. Fister was. Mr. Fister told him, \"I started school when I was 4.5, and I stayed at the school for 1/3 of my life. I was then in the army for 1/5 of my life, and when I left the army I spent 1/4 of my life as a clerk. Now, I have spent 1/3 of my life in retirement.\" How old is Mr. Fister?
\n" ); document.write( "----------------
\n" ); document.write( "Let Mr. Fister's age be x yrs.
\n" ); document.write( "EQUATION:
\n" ); document.write( "4.5 + (1/3)x + (1/5)x + (1/4)x + (1/3)x = x
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply thru by 60 to get:
\n" ); document.write( "270 + 20x + 12x + 15x + 20x = 60x
\n" ); document.write( "270 + 67x = 60x
\n" ); document.write( "----------
\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "This gives a negative value for \"x\".
\n" ); document.write( "Check the statement of your problem.
\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H. \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );