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| Question 409408:  I need an equation: I have tried this numerous times and i just can't come up with the right one. I am not looking for the answer just the equation so I can work it out correctly.
 I am 32.  My son's age is 13.  I was 19 when he was born.  How old will we be , or hold old were we, when I am or was 3x his age.
 I tried working the equation like this:
 X(son's age)+(X+19)=3X but I keep getting 19 and that doesn't seem to work:
 Can someone help?
 
 Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! I am 32. My son's age is 13. I was 19 when he was born. How old will we be, or how old were we, when I am or was 3x his age
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 You are less than 3 times your son's age now, so it must be in the past that this was true
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 let y = no. of years ago you were 3 times your son's age
 :
 (32-y) = 3(13 - y)
 32 - y = 39 - 3y
 -y +3y = 39 - 32
 2y = 7
 y = 3.5 yrs ago
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 You were 28.5 yrs old and son's was 9.5 yrs old
 :
 Check this
 32 - 3.5 = 3(13 - 3.5)
 28.5 = 3(9.5)
 28.5 = 28.5
 :
 Usually these problems have integer solutions, but this is what satisfies the given information.
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