Question 224174
Paul is 12. His father is 33. How many years ago was the father 4 times as old as the son?


Step 1.  Let x be the number of years ago when the father was 4 times as old as the son?


Step 2.  Let 12-x be Paul's age x years ago.


Step 3.  Let 33-x be the age of Paul's father.


Step 4.  Then, 33-x=4(12-x) since the father was 4 times as old as the son x years ago.


Step 5. Solving the equation in Step 4 yields  the following steps


*[invoke explain_simplification "33-x=4(12-x)" ]


With x=5, then 12-5=33-5=4*7 or 28=28 which is a true statement.


Step 6. ANSWER:   Five years ago the father was 4 times as old as his son Paul.


I hope the above steps were helpful. 


For free Step-By-Step Videos on Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra or for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.


And good luck in your studies!


Respectfully,
Dr J


drjctu@gmail.com


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