document.write( "Question 1195465: Gabriella’s age is half that of her brother Sam. Four years ago, Gabriella’s age was a third that of her brother. How old was Sam two years ago
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #827960 by ikleyn(52790) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
\n" ); document.write( "Gabriella’s age is half that of her brother Sam.
\n" ); document.write( "Four years ago, Gabriella’s age was a third that of her brother.
\n" ); document.write( "How old was Sam two years ago ?
\n" ); document.write( "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "

\r\n" );
document.write( "Let x be the Sam's age now.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Then Gabriela's age is x/2 years, according to the problem.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Four years ago Sam was x-4 years old;  Gabriela was  years old.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "The problem says that\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "     = .\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "It is your base equation.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "To rid of the denominators, multiply both sides by 4*3 = 12.  You will get then\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "    6x - 48 = 4x - 16\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "    6x - 4x = 48 - 16\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "       2x   =    32\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "        x   =    32/2 = 16.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "So, now Sam is 16 years old; Gabriela is 16/2 = 8 years old.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "You may check that the condition \"4 years ago\" is held.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "ANSWER.  Two years ago, Sam was 16-2 = 14 years old.\r\n" );
document.write( "

\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Solved.\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

\n" );