SOLUTION: Currently Karen is 4 times as old as Lucy. Six years from now, Karen will be 3 times as old as Lucy(i.e. Karen's age in six years will be 3 times Lucy's age is 6 years.) How old is

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Question 538031: Currently Karen is 4 times as old as Lucy. Six years from now, Karen will be 3 times as old as Lucy(i.e. Karen's age in six years will be 3 times Lucy's age is 6 years.) How old is Lucy now?
I have tried 3x+6=4(x+6) and tried to solve for x. my answer ended up being 18.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Currently Karen is 4 times as old as Lucy. Six years from now, Karen will be 3 times as old as Lucy.
How old is Lucy now?
:
Let's do it this way
:
Let L = Lucy's age now
Let K = Karen's age now
:
Write an equation for each statement:
"Karen is 4 times as old as Lucy."
K = 4L
:
"Six years from now, Karen will be 3 times as old as Lucy"
K + 6 = 3(L + 6)
K + 6 = 3L + 18
K = 3L + 18 - 6
K = 3L + 12
Replace K with 4L (from the 1st statement)
4L = 3L + 12
4L - 3L = 12
L = 12 yrs is Lucy's age now
:
:
Check our solution in the given statement: (Karen = 4(12) = 48)
"Six years from now, Karen will be 3 times as old as Lucy"
48 + 6 = 3(12+6)
54 = 3(18)