SOLUTION: Katty is one fifth as old as Melinda. In four years three times Katty's age will equal Melinda's age. Find Melinda's age now.

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Question 1066462: Katty is one fifth as old as Melinda. In four years three times Katty's age will equal Melinda's age. Find Melinda's age now.
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
system%28k=m%2F5%2Cm%2B4=3%28k%2B4%29%29

Substitute for k to get Melinda's age now.
m%2B4=3%28m%2F5%2B4%29
m%2B4=3m%2F5%2B12
5m%2B20=3m%2B60
2m=40
highlight%28m=20%29

Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Katty is one fifth as old as Melinda. In four years three times Katty's age will equal Melinda's age. Find Melinda's age now.
Let Melinda's age, be M	

Then Katty's is: matrix%281%2C3%2C+%281%2F5%29+%2A+M%2C+or%2C+M%2F5%29

We then get: 3%28M%2F5+%2B+4%29+=+M	

3M%2F5+%2B+12+=+M	

3M + 60 = 5M ------ Multiplying by LCD, 5	

60 = 5M - 3M	

M, or Melinda is: highlight_green%28matrix%281%2C4%2C+60%2F2%2C+or%2C+30%2C+years-old%29%29

This is based on: "In four years three times Katty's age will equal Melinda's" CURRENT age

If it's, "In four years three times Katty's age will equal Melinda's" AGE THEN, then Melinda is now 20 years-old.