SOLUTION: The sum of the ages of clarence and his father is 39. After four years,his father's age would be one less than 5 times his age . What are their present ages?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: The sum of the ages of clarence and his father is 39. After four years,his father's age would be one less than 5 times his age . What are their present ages?       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 1145067: The sum of the ages of clarence and his father is 39. After four years,his father's age would be one less than 5 times his age . What are their present ages?
Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, ikleyn:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +a+ = Clarence's age now
Let +b+ = his father's age now
------------------------------------------
(1) +a+%2B+b+=+39+
(2) +b+%2B+4+=+5%2A%28+a+%2B+4+%29+-+1+
------------------------------------------
(2) +b+%2B+4+=+5a+%2B+20+-+1+
(2) +5a+-+b+=+-19+%2B+4+
(2) +5a+-+b+=+-15+
Add (1) and (2)
+6a+=+24+
+a+=+4+
and
(1) +4+%2B+b+=+39+
(1) +b+=+35+
--------------------------
Clarence is 4
His father is 35
--------------------------
check:
(2) +b+%2B+4+=+5%2A%28+a+%2B+4+%29+-+1+
(2) +35+%2B+4+=+5%2A%28+4+%2B+4+%29+-+1+
(2) +39+=+5%2A8+-+1+
(2) +39+=+39+
OK

Answer by ikleyn(52786) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

When you repeat the word "his" two times in a row in a phrase, 

    as you do it in this phrase  "After four years, his father's age would be one less than 5 times his age."

it becomes unclear to whom the second "his" does relate.


Keep it in your mind when you will create a problem on your own next time . . .