SOLUTION: your math teacher told me that this year she is three times as old as her little sister. However, six years ago she was five times as old as her sister. How old is your math teach

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Question 545562: your math teacher told me that this year she is three times as old as her little sister. However, six years ago she was five times as old as her sister. How old is your math teacher now?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let t = teacher's age now
let s = sister's age
:
"This year she is three times as old as her little sister."
t = 3s
:
"However, six years ago she was five times as old as her sister."
t -6 = 5(s - 6)
t - 6 = 5s - 30
t = 5s - 30 + 6
t = 5s - 24
From the 1st statement, replace t with 3s
3s = 5s - 24
24 = 5s - 3s
24 = 2s
s = 24/2
s = 12 yr is sisters present age
then
3(12) = 36 yrs is teacher's age
:
:
Check solution in the statement:
"six years ago she was five times as old as her sister."
36 - 6 = 5(12 - 6)
30 = 5(6); confirms our solution