SOLUTION: Ben is 40 years older than Omar. Eleven years ago, Ben was 5 times as old as Omar.How old is Omar now?

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Question 836335: Ben is 40 years older than Omar. Eleven years ago, Ben was 5 times as old as Omar.How old is Omar now?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +a+ = Ben's age now
Let +b+ = Omar's age now
-------------------------
(1) +a+=+b+%2B+40+
(2) +a+-+11+=+5%2A%28+b+-+11+%29+
---------------------------
(2) +a+-+11+=+5b+-+55+
(2) +-a+%2B+5b+=+44+
and
(1) +a+-+b+=+40+
------------------
add the equations
(2) +-a+%2B+5b+=+44+
(1) +a+-+b+=+40+
+4b+=+84+
+b+=+21+
and
(1) +a+=+b+%2B+40+
(1) +a+=+21+%2B+40+
(1) +a+=+61+
-----------------
61 is Ben's age now
21 is Omar's age now
check:
(2) +a+-+11+=+5%2A%28+b+-+11+%29+
(2) +61+-+11+=+5%2A%28+21+-+11+%29+
(2) +50+=+5%2A10+
(2) +50+=+50+
OK