SOLUTION: Bob is 6 years older than Fred. Fred is half as old as Bob. How old are they now?

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Question 1151315: Bob is 6 years older than Fred. Fred is half as old as Bob. How old are they now?

Answer by ikleyn(52799) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

If you read the problem and think on it 1 minute, you should be able to guess / (to recognize) the answer mentally


    Bob is 12 years;  Fred is 6 years.



You also can solve the problem algebraically / (formally).


Let x be the Fred's age. Then Bob's age is  2x, according to the condition, and

    2x - x = 6.


Hence, x = 6  (the Fred's age)  and 2x = 12 (the Bob's age).