SOLUTION: Ryan is 44 years younger than Katie. 6 years ago, Katie's age was 3 times Ryan's age. How old is Ryan now?

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Question 1167690: Ryan is 44 years younger than Katie. 6 years ago, Katie's age was 3 times Ryan's age. How old is Ryan now?

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

Algebraically....

x = Ryan's age
x+44 = Katie's age
x-6 = Ryan's age 6 years ago
x+44-6 = x+38 = Katie's age 6 years ago

Katie's age 6 years ago was 3 times Ryan's age then:

Solve using basic algebra; I leave that to you.

Using logical reasoning and some easy mental arithmetic....

6 years ago, Katie's age was 3 times Ryan's age. Let their ages then be 3x and x; the difference in their ages is 2x.

The difference in their ages is 44 years. So 6 years ago

So their ages 6 years ago were x=22 and 3x=66.

So their ages now are 22+6=28 and 66+6=72.