SOLUTION: Ara and Shea were once the same height. Since then Shea has grown 20%, while Ara has grown half as many inches as Shea. Shea is now 60 inches tall. Ara's height, in inches, is:

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: Ara and Shea were once the same height. Since then Shea has grown 20%, while Ara has grown half as many inches as Shea. Shea is now 60 inches tall. Ara's height, in inches, is:       Log On

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Question 281899: Ara and Shea were once the same height. Since then Shea has grown 20%, while Ara
has grown half as many inches as Shea. Shea is now 60 inches tall. Ara's height, in inches, is:
(A)48 (B) 51 (C) 52 (D) 54 (E) 55

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let s = Shea's height now
Let a = Ara's height now
When their heights were the same:
s+-+.2s+=+a+-+.5%2A%28.2s%29
s+=+60
---------
60+-+.2%2A60+=+a+-+.5%2A12
48+=+a+-+6
a+=+54
Ara is 54 in tall -(D)
Check:
.2s+=+12
60+-+12+=+48
48 in is their heights when both were the same
a+=+48+%2B+12%2F2
a+=+54 in
OK