SOLUTION: Can you please help me with this age problem? I've tried my best but I just can't. A man is 11 over 6 as old as his wife. 3 years ago, he was twice as old as his wife. Find thei

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: Can you please help me with this age problem? I've tried my best but I just can't. A man is 11 over 6 as old as his wife. 3 years ago, he was twice as old as his wife. Find thei      Log On

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Question 1087922: Can you please help me with this age problem? I've tried my best but I just can't.
A man is 11 over 6 as old as his wife. 3 years ago, he was twice as old as his wife. Find their ages now?
Found 3 solutions by solver91311, josgarithmetic, josmiceli:
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


What have you tried?

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it

Answer by josgarithmetic(39615) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
m, Man's age
w, Wife's age

system%28m=%2811%2F6%29w%2Cm-3=2%28w-3%29%29
-
%2811%2F6%29w-3=2%28w-3%29

Multiply both sides by 6.
11w-18=12%28w-3%29

-18=12w-36-11w
-18%2B36=w
highlight%28w=18%29
-
m=%2811%2F6%29%2A18
m=11%2A%2818%2F6%29
highlight%28m=33%29

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
What does 11 over 6 mean?
Is it the fraction +11%2F6+ ? If so, then:
Let +a+ = the man's age now
Let +b+ = his wife's age now
-----------------------------------
(1) +a+=+%2811%2F6%29%2Ab+
(2) +a+-+3+=+2%2A%28+b+-+3+%29+
--------------------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +%2811%2F6%29%2Ab+-+3+=+2%2A%28+b+-+3+%29+
(2) +11b+-+18+=+12%2A%28+b+-+3+%29+
(2) +11b+-+18+=+12b+-+36+
(2) +b+=+18+
and
(1) +a+=+%2811%2F6%29%2Ab+
(1) +a+=+%2811%2F6%29%2A18+
(1) +a+=+11%2A3+
(1) +a+=+33+
The man is 33
His wife is 18
( That will never work out )