SOLUTION: a mother was 26 years old when her daughter ws born. the mother is now 6 years less than 3 times as old as her daughter. How old is the daughter now?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: a mother was 26 years old when her daughter ws born. the mother is now 6 years less than 3 times as old as her daughter. How old is the daughter now?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 935902: a mother was 26 years old when her daughter ws born. the mother is now 6 years less than 3 times as old as her daughter. How old is the daughter now?
Found 2 solutions by nerdybill, josmiceli:
Answer by nerdybill(7384) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a mother was 26 years old when her daughter ws born. the mother is now 6 years less than 3 times as old as her daughter. How old is the daughter now?
.
Let d = daughter's age
then from "mother was 26 years old when her daughter was born" we have:
d+26 = mother's age
.
from "the mother is now 6 years less than 3 times as old as her daughter"
3d-6 = d+26
2d-6 = 26
2d = 32
d = 16 years old (answer)

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +m+ = the mother's age now
Let +d+ = the daughter's age now
--------------------------------
The difference in their ages never changes
It is +m+-+d+
In terms of their present ages,
(1) +m+-+d+=+26+
--------------------
Also given is:
(2) +m+=+3d+-+6+
--------------------
Substitute (2) into (1)
(1) +3d+-+6+-+d+=+26+
(1) +2d+=+32+
(1) +d+=+16+
The daughter is 16 now
check:
(1) +m+-+d+=+26+
(1) +m+-+16+=+26+
(1) +m+=+42+
and
(2) +m+=+3d+-+6+
(2) +42+=+3%2A16+-+6+
(2) +42+=+48+-+6+
(2) +42+=+42+
OK