Question 189338
Let E = Erum's present age
Lot Z = Zahra's present age
:
Write an equation for each statement:
;
Erum's age is 2/3 that of Zahra's .
E = {{{2/3}}}Z
:
Two years ago Erum's age was 1/2 of what Zahra's age will be in 5 year's time.
(E-2) = {{{1/2}}}(Z+5)
:
Multiply both sides by 2:
2(E-2) = Z + 5
:
2E - 4 = Z + 5
:
2E = Z + 5 + 4
:
2E = Z + 9
:
 How old is Zahra now ?
:
Substitute {{{2/3}}}Z for E in the above equation
2({{{2/3}}}Z) = Z + 9
{{{4/3}}}Z = Z + 9
Subtract Z from both sides
{{{4/3}}}Z - {{{3/3}}}Z = 9
{{{1/3}}}Z = 9
Multiply both sides by 3
Z = 27 yrs is Zahra's age now
:
The {{{2/3}}}(27) = 18 yrs is Erum's age now
:
:
Check solution in the statement:
"Two years ago Erum's age was 1/2 of what Zahra's age will be in 5 year's time."
(18-2) = .5(27 + 5)