SOLUTION: Western State College is 18 years older than Southern State. Western is also 2.5 times as old as southern. how old is each? choices for southern state's age: 12,14,18

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Question 214774: Western State College is 18 years older than Southern State. Western is also 2.5 times as old as southern. how old is each? choices for southern state's age: 12,14,18
Found 2 solutions by drj, jojo14344:
Answer by drj(1380) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Western State College is 18 years older than Southern State. Western is also 2.5 times as old as southern. How old is each? choices for southern state's age: 12,14,18

Step 1. Let x be the age of Southern State, x+18 is the age of Western State College.

Step 2. 2.5x Western age is also 2.5 times as old as southern.

Step 3. x+18=2.5x as given by Steps 1 and 2.

Step 4. Subtract x to both sides of the equation in Step 3

Step 4. Multiply 2/3 to both sides of the equation to get x

With x=12, then x+18=30 years old for Western

Step 5. ANSWER: Southern State's age is 12 years old and Western State's age is 30 years old.

I hope the above steps were helpful.

For free Step-By-Step Videos on Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra or for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.

And good luck in your studies!

Respectfully,
Dr J

Answer by jojo14344(1513) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let x= no. of years old of Southern State

Then, 18 + x = no. of years of Western State compared to Southern ( 18 yrs older ),

Also, Western is 2.5(x) as old as Southern State, .

We equate the 2 conditions:

------>
, no. of years old of Southern State

Via : , no. of years old of Western State.
Or, via :

Thank you,
Jojo