SOLUTION: the combined age of a man and his wife is 8xtimes the combined age of their children.2 years ago their united ages were 10 times the combined ages of their children.6 years hence t

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: the combined age of a man and his wife is 8xtimes the combined age of their children.2 years ago their united ages were 10 times the combined ages of their children.6 years hence t      Log On


   

Question 827166: the combined age of a man and his wife is 8xtimes the combined age of their children.2 years ago their united ages were 10 times the combined ages of their children.6 years hence their combined age will be 3 times the combined age of their children.the no. of children are---
Answer by JBarnum(2146) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
m%2Bw=8c
%28m-2%29%2B%28w-2%29=10%28c-2x%29
%28m%2B6%29%2B%28w%2B6%29=3%28c%2B6x%29
x= amount of children
c= total current combined age of children
m= man's current age
w= wife's current age
m=8c-w
8c-w+w-4=10c-2x
8c-4=10c-2x
-4=2c-2x
-2=c-x
x-2=c
hmm having 4 variables and only 3 equations is making this not possible to solve if i could find out one more equation i might be able to solve this

trying an guess below
%28m-2%29%2B%28w-2%29=10%28c-2x%29
say theres 5 children so x=5
and the ages are 1+2+3+4+5 making c=15
m=120-w
m+w=50
this isnt even possible
because one has to be at least 60 to make this work
i have no idea how to solve 4 variables with only 3 equations i think you are missing some important information and the wording in the questions is hard to understand what is "hence" suppose to mean...? from the "will" i got future so its +6 instead of -6.