SOLUTION: the sum of the ages two brothers is 38.four years ago the age of the elder brothers was the square of the younger brother's age.find their ages

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: the sum of the ages two brothers is 38.four years ago the age of the elder brothers was the square of the younger brother's age.find their ages       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 1105530: the sum of the ages two brothers is 38.four years ago the age of the elder brothers was the square of the younger brother's age.find their ages
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
system%28x%2By=38%2Cy-4=%28x-4%29%5E2%29


x%2B4%2B%28x-4%29%5E2=38

x%2B%28x-4%29%5E2=34

x%5E2-8x%2B16%2Bx=34

x%5E2-7x=18

x%5E2-7x-18=0

%28x%2B2%29%28x-9%29=0

The value you need here is x=9.
y=29.

Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


If the sum of their ages now is 38, then the sum of their ages 4 years ago was 30.

Since 4 years ago the older brother's age was the square of the younger brother's age, you need to find two numbers, one the square of the other, whose sum is 30. That should be easy;those two numbers are their ages 4 years ago.

Then add 4 to each of their ages 4 years ago to get their current ages.