SOLUTION: if mike is 4 years older than tom and five years ago mike was twice toms age how old is tom now?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: if mike is 4 years older than tom and five years ago mike was twice toms age how old is tom now?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 314533: if mike is 4 years older than tom and five years ago mike was twice toms age how old is tom now?
Answer by eshomali(33) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Tom has to be the age of -9 and Mike has to be the age of -13. That is the only way for it to work, in real life, its impossible because you cannot be of negitive age. consider this equation:
A is Tom
B is Mike
using system equations of:
A + 4 = B
B - 5 = 2A
Solve for B in the second equation, and plug the solved B into the first equation to find A. Done and Done.