Question 697627
Let {{{ x }}} = that number of years
given:
{{{ ( 37 - x )*( 8 - x ) = 96 }}}
{{{ 296 - 8x - 37x + x^2 = 96 }}}
{{{ x^2 - 45x + 200 = 0 }}}
Use quadratic formula
{{{x = ( -b +- sqrt( b^2 - 4*a*c )) / (2*a) }}} 
{{{ a = 1 }}}
{{{ b = -45 }}}
{{{ c = 200 }}}
{{{x = ( -(-45) +- sqrt( (-45)^2 - 4*1*200 )) / (2*1) }}} 
{{{x = ( 45 +- sqrt( 2025 - 800 )) / 2 }}} 
{{{x = ( 45 +- sqrt( 1225 )) / 2 }}} 
{{{x = ( 45 - 35) / 2 }}} 
{{{ x = 5 }}}
and also,
{{{ x = ( 45 + 35 ) / 2 }}}
{{{ x = 40 }}}
It could not have been 40 yrs ago- The man wasn't born yet.
It must have been 5 years ago
check the answer:
{{{ ( 37 - x )*( 8 - x ) = 96 }}}
{{{ ( 37 - 5 )*( 8 - 5 ) = 96 }}}
{{{ 32*3 = 96 }}}
{{{ 96 = 96 }}}
OK