SOLUTION: Erik is 68 years younger than Zoe. 7 years ago, Zoe's age was 3 times Erik's age. How old is Erik now?

Click here to see ALL problems on Linear-equations

Question 1185174: Erik is 68 years younger than Zoe. 7 years ago, Zoe's age was 3 times Erik's age. How old is Erik now?

Found 2 solutions by Boreal, greenestamps:
Answer by Boreal(15235) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Eric=x
Zoe=x+68
seven years ago they were x-7 and x+61 respectively
3(x-7)=x+61
2x=82
x=41 Eric's age now ANSWER
Zoe is 109 now
7 years ago, Eric was 34 and Zoe was 102.

Answer by greenestamps(13200) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

There are of course many ways to set this problem up for solving. With the information that is given, here is what I would do.

Let x be Erik's age 7 years ago
Then 3x = Zoe's age 7 years ago

The difference in their ages 7 years ago was 3x-1=2x

But the difference in their ages 7 years ago is the same as that difference now, which is 68 years:

2x=68
x=34

Erik's age 7 years ago was 34.

ANSWER: Erik's age now is 34+7 = 41