document.write( "Question 119992: Hey, I need help with this age problem, because I seriously don't get it. A detailed explation will be greatly appreciated! :) Thanks in advanced.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Mrs. Brooks lacks 7 years from being five times as old as her son. Six years from now she will lack 3 years from being three times as old as her son is then. Find each of their ages.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I tried to solve it for an hour before I gave up and looked online for help. Here's what I came up with:
\n" ); document.write( "Mrs. Brooks= x; Son (Brooks Junior)= y
\n" ); document.write( " 5x-7=y
\n" ); document.write( "x+6=3(y+6)-3
\n" ); document.write( "x+6=3y+18-3
\n" ); document.write( "x+6=3(5x-7)+18-3
\n" ); document.write( "x+6=15x-21+18-3
\n" ); document.write( "x+6=15x-6
\n" ); document.write( " -6 -6
\n" ); document.write( "-------------
\n" ); document.write( " x=15x-12
\n" ); document.write( "-15x -15x
\n" ); document.write( "----------------
\n" ); document.write( "14x=-12
\n" ); document.write( "--- ----
\n" ); document.write( "14 14\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x= -6
\n" ); document.write( " --
\n" ); document.write( " 7
\n" ); document.write( " My answer makes no sense, because it's not possible to have a negative age. Help me, please!!!!!
\n" ); document.write( " Thanks.--- Rae. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #87921 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Mrs. Brooks lacks 7 years from being five times as old as her son. Six years from now she will lack 3 years from being three times as old as her son is then. Find each of their ages.
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\n" ); document.write( "B = Brooks present age; S = Son's present age
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Mrs. Brooks lacks 7 years from being five times as old as her son.
\n" ); document.write( "(B+7) = 5S
\n" ); document.write( "B = 5S - 7
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( " Six years from now she will lack 3 years from being three times as old as her son is then.
\n" ); document.write( "That translates to:
\n" ); document.write( "B + 6 + 3 = 3(S + 6)
\n" ); document.write( "B + 9 = 3S + 18
\n" ); document.write( "B = 3S + 18 - 9
\n" ); document.write( "B = 3s + 9
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Find each of their ages.
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute (5S-7) for B and find S
\n" ); document.write( "5S - 7 = 3S + 9
\n" ); document.write( "5S = 3S + 9 + 7
\n" ); document.write( "5S - 3S = 16
\n" ); document.write( "S = 16/2
\n" ); document.write( "S = 8 yr is the son
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "B = 5S - 7
\n" ); document.write( "B = 40 - 7
\n" ); document.write( "B = 33 yrs is the Mom (Brooks)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Check solutions the statement:
\n" ); document.write( "Six years from now she will lack 3 years from being three times as old as her son is then.
\n" ); document.write( "33 + 6 + 3 = 3(8 + 6)
\n" ); document.write( "42 = 3 * 14; confirms our solution
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\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "I'm not sure what you did, You seemed to start out right
\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps you.
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