SOLUTION: If a father is now 5 times as old as his son, how many years ago was the son 2 years old and the father 34 years old?

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Question 587199: If a father is now 5 times as old as his son, how many years ago was the son 2 years old and the father 34 years old?

Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, TamiSrcKa:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Start when Son was 2 and Father was 34
Add the same number of years, x, to each one's age
Let that be when Father is 5 times Son's age, and find x
+34+%2B+x+=+5%2A%28+2+%2B+x+%29+
+34+%2B+x+=+10+%2B+5x+
+4x+=+24+
+x+=+6+
6 years ago the Son was 2 and the Father was 34
check:
The Son is now +2+%2B+6+=+8+
The Father is now +34+%2B+6+=+40+
+40+=+5%2A8+
That is correct

Answer by TamiSrcKa(4) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
now
father 5x
son x
.....
before
father 34
son 2
_________________
Easiest solution:
34-2=5x-x
32=4x
x=32/4
x=8
>>> The father is 5x=5*8=40, and the son is 8. > (f)now-(f)before=40-34=6
The father was 34 and the son was 2, 6 years ago.