SOLUTION: The father is 40 years old and the son is 12 years old. How many years ago was the father 5 times older than the son? The answer is obviously 5, but i can't get the equotion righ

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: The father is 40 years old and the son is 12 years old. How many years ago was the father 5 times older than the son? The answer is obviously 5, but i can't get the equotion righ      Log On

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Question 311058: The father is 40 years old and the son is 12 years old. How many years ago was the father 5 times older than the son?
The answer is obviously 5, but i can't get the equotion right.
Thanks!

Found 2 solutions by JBarnum, TamiSrcKa:
Answer by JBarnum(2146) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
f=40
s=12
40-x=5(12-x)
40-x=60-5x
40+4x=60
4x=20
x=5

Answer by TamiSrcKa(4) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
now
father 40
son 12
.....
before (when?)
father 5x
x
__________
Solution:
40-12=5x-x
28=4x
x=7
>>>So, the father is before was 7 and the father before was 5x=5*7=35
f(now)-(f)before=40-35=5
The answer: 5 years ago.