Question 97007: Ben wanted to know how old his friend Mr. Fister was. Mr. Fister told him, "I started school when I was 4.5, and I stayed at the school for 1/3 of my life. I was then in the army for 1/5 of my life, and when I left the army I spent 1/4 of my life as a clerk. Now, I have spent 1/3 of my life in retirement." How old is Mr. Fister?
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Ben wanted to know how old his friend Mr. Fister was. Mr. Fister told him, "I started school when I was 4.5, and I stayed at the school for 1/3 of my life. I was then in the army for 1/5 of my life, and when I left the army I spent 1/4 of my life as a clerk. Now, I have spent 1/3 of my life in retirement." How old is Mr. Fister?
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Let Mr. Fister's age be x yrs.
EQUATION:
4.5 + (1/3)x + (1/5)x + (1/4)x + (1/3)x = x
Multiply thru by 60 to get:
270 + 20x + 12x + 15x + 20x = 60x
270 + 67x = 60x
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Cheers,
This gives a negative value for "x".
Check the statement of your problem.
Cheers,
Stan H.
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