SOLUTION: I am always confused with age problems. Which equation to be put where is my problem. Please help me with this problem: Sunitha is 19 years younger than her father. After 5 years,

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Question 515301: I am always confused with age problems. Which equation to be put where is my problem. Please help me with this problem:
Sunitha is 19 years younger than her father. After 5 years, their ages will be in the ratio 2:3. Find their present ages.
I wish you could elaborate this problem clearly.
THANK YOU!!
Anjuman Amina

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let s = Sunitha's present age
Let f = father's age
:
Write an equation for exactly what it says
:
"Sunitha is 19 years younger than her father."
s = f - 19
:
" After 5 years, their ages will be in the ratio 2:3."
%28%28s%2B5%29%29%2F%28%28f%2B5%29%29 = 2%2F3
cross multiply
3(s+5) = 2(f+5)
3s + 15 = 2f + 10
3s = 2f + 10 - 15
3s = 2f - 5
From the 1st statement, replace s with (f-19)
3(f-19) = 2f - 5
3f - 57 = 2f - 5
3f - 2s = -5 + 57
f = 52 is F's age
then
52 - 19 = 33 is S's age

:
You can confirm this by substitution in the 2nd statement: 38%2F57 = 2%2F3