SOLUTION: Good Day, I need help regarding this age problem. In 6 years, Jim will be 2/3 as old as Jane: and 8 years ago, he was 1/5 years old. Find their present age. Jim? Jane?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: Good Day, I need help regarding this age problem. In 6 years, Jim will be 2/3 as old as Jane: and 8 years ago, he was 1/5 years old. Find their present age. Jim? Jane?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 1177267: Good Day, I need help regarding this age problem.
In 6 years, Jim will be 2/3 as old as Jane: and 8 years ago, he was 1/5 years old. Find their present age.
Jim?
Jane?
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"as old." Jim, what at 8 years ago?

x Jan
y Jim

First part: y%2B6=%282%2F3%29%28x%2B6%29

The ambiguous part: "8 years ago, he was 1/5 years old."
You mean, "he was 1%2F5 years as old AS JANE"? If this, then y-8=%281%2F5%29%28x-8%29.


You would have the system system%28y%2B6=%282%2F3%29%28x%2B6%29%2Cy-8=%281%2F5%29%28x-8%29%29.
.
.
.

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


Assuming the statement is supposed to be that Jim 8 years ago was 1/5 AS OLD AS Jane was then....

Given that Jim was 1/5 as old as Jane 8 years ago, I would make the algebra easier with...

Let x = Jim's age 8 years ago
then 5x = Jane's age 8 years ago

To get from 8 years ago to 6 years from now, we have to add 14 to each age:

x+14 = Jim's age 6 years from now
5x+14 = Jane's age 6 years from now

Jim's age 6 years from now will be 2/3 of Jane's age then:

x%2B14+=+%282%2F3%29%285x%2B14%29
3%28x%2B14%29+=+2%285x%2B14%29
3x%2B42+=+10x%2B28
14+=+7x
x+=+2

Their ages 8 years ago were
Jim = x = 2
Jane = 5x = 10

Their ages now are

ANSWERS:
Jim = 2+8 = 10
Jane = 10+8 = 18