SOLUTION: Miriam is four years older than Ricardo. Ten years ago Miriam was 3 times as old as Ricardo was then. a. How old are they now? b. Determine whether your answer is correct by che

Algebra ->  Human-and-algebraic-language -> SOLUTION: Miriam is four years older than Ricardo. Ten years ago Miriam was 3 times as old as Ricardo was then. a. How old are they now? b. Determine whether your answer is correct by che      Log On


   

Question 356758: Miriam is four years older than Ricardo. Ten years ago
Miriam was 3 times as old as Ricardo was then.
a. How old are they now?
b. Determine whether your answer is correct by checking
that it satisfies the conditions of the problem.
Found 2 solutions by ewatrrr, checkley77:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi,

Miriam 'always' was and 'always' will be 4 year older than Ricardo

Let x be Ricardo's age and (x+4) Miriam's age

.

Question states following was true 10 years ago

(x+4) = 3x

4=2x

2 = x  

Ten years ago: Ricardo was 2 and Miriam was 6

Now Ricardo is 12 and Miriam is 16

.

check your answer

16 -10 = 3*(12-10)

Answer by checkley77(12844) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
M=R+4
M-10=3(R-10)
(R+4)-10=3(R-10)
R+4-10=3R-30
R-3R=-30+10-4
-2R=-24
R=-24/-2
R=12 YEARS OLD NOW.
M=12+4=16 YEARS OLD NOW.
PROOF:
16-10=3(12-10)
6=3*2
6=6