SOLUTION: you are now 4 years older than your brother.two years ago you were 1.5 times older than your brother.how old you now

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Age -> SOLUTION: you are now 4 years older than your brother.two years ago you were 1.5 times older than your brother.how old you now       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 834381: you are now 4 years older than your brother.two years ago you were 1.5 times older than your brother.how old you now
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +a+ = your age now
Let +b+ = your brother's age now
---------------
(1) +a+=+b+%2B+4+
(2) +a+-+2+=+%283%2F2%29%2A%28+b-2+%29+
-------------------------
(2) +2a+-+4+=+3b+-+6+
(2) +2a+-+3b+=+-2+
(2) +-2a+%2B+3b+=+2+
and
(1) +a+-+b+=+4+
-------------------
Multiply both sides of (1) by 2
and add (1) and (2)
(2) +-2a+%2B+3b+=+2+
(1) +2a+-+2b+=+8+
+b+=+10+
and
(1) +a+=+b+%2B+4+
(1) +a+=+10+%2B+4+
(1) +a+=+14+
OK
You are 14
check:
2 years ago you were 12
and your brother was 8
+%283%2F2%29%2A8+=+12+
You were 1.5 times your brother's age
OK