SOLUTION: Mary's father is four times as old as Mary. Five years ago, he was seven times as old. How old is each now?

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Question 798886: Mary's father is four times as old as Mary. Five years ago, he was seven times as old. How old is each now?
Answer by Cromlix(4381) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Mary's father is four times as old as Mary
F = 4M
F - 5 = 7(M - 5)
Replace F with $M from first equation.
4M - 5 = 7M - 35
Collect like terms;
4M - 7M = -35 + 5
- 3M = - 30
M = 10
Currently,
Mary is 10 years old
Father is 40 years old.
Hope this helps.
:-)