Question 794514: Mrs. Lemecha's dad is 5 times as old as he was 40 years ago? how old is Mrs. Lemecha's dad? Found 2 solutions by lynnlo, ikleyn:Answer by lynnlo(4176) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! .
Mrs. Lemecha's dad is 5 times as old as he was 40 years ago? how old is Mrs. Lemecha's dad?
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This is a nice problem, but the solution given in the post by @lynnlo is absolutely incorrect.
I came to bring a correct solution.
Let x be the age of the dad.
40 years ago his age was (x-40) years.
Write equation as you read the problem
x = 5(x-40)
Simplify it step by step and find x
x = 5x - 5*40,
x = 5x - 200
Collect the terms with 'x' on the right side;
move the constant term -200 to the left side changing its sign
200 = 5x - x
200 = 4x
x = 200/4 = 50.
ANSWER. The dad is 50 years old.
Solved.
This problem teaches to read problem attentively and to make setup accurately and adequately.
Therefore, this problem has great educational/instructional value and teaches to treat Math problems with respect.