SOLUTION: My homework says "Stan says 'My niece Fran is currently 1/3 of my age. But in 12 years, she will be 1/2 of my age.' How old is Stan NOW?"

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: My homework says "Stan says 'My niece Fran is currently 1/3 of my age. But in 12 years, she will be 1/2 of my age.' How old is Stan NOW?"       Log On


   



Question 1091102: My homework says "Stan says 'My niece Fran is currently 1/3 of my age. But in 12 years, she will be 1/2 of my age.' How old is Stan NOW?"
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
Let's translate your homework to equations.


First equation is 

F = %281%2F3%29%2AS,  or, which is the same,  3F = S.    (1)


Second equation is

F + 12 = %281%2F2%29%2A%28S%2B12%29,  which is the same as  2*(F+12) = S + 12.    (2)


At this moment you must make an effort and get understanding what is F+12 at the left side, and what is S+12 at the right side.
As soon as you understand it, you will easily solve ANY age word problem.


So, from the condition, you have this system of two equations

3F = S,              (1)   and
2*(F+12) = S + 12.   (2)


Simplify (2)

2F + 24 = S + 12

and substitute  3F instead of S into this equation, based on (1). You will get a single equation for F:

2F + 24 = 3F + 12  ====>  F = 24 - 12 = 12.

Answer. Fran is 12 years old. Stan is 3*12 = 36 years old.


Solved.


There is a bunch of lessons on age word problems
    - Age problems and their solutions
    - A fresh formulation of a traditional age problem
    - Really intricate age word problem
    - Selected age word problems from the archive
    - Age problems for mental solution
in this site.

Read them and become an expert in solving age problems.

Also, you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site
    - ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK.

The referred lessons are the part of this online textbook under the topic "Age word problems".