Question 1136473
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At some point in time, when Jon's age was x, Sam's age was 2x^2+4x, and Helen's age was x^2+45; and Sam and Helen are the same age.  At THAT point in time, then,<br>
{{{2x^2+4x = x^2+45}}}
{{{x^2+4x-45 = 0}}}
{{{(x+9)(x-5) = 0}}}
{{{x = -9}}} or {{{x = 5}}}<br>
Clearly a negative age makes no sense, so at THAT point in time, Jon was 5; that means Sam and Helen were each 70.<br>
But I don't know how to answer the question, because it is badly worded.<br>
If the actual question is "at THAT moment in time, how old WAS Sam", then the answer is clearly 70.<br>
But if the actual question is "at THIS point in time (i.e., now), how old IS Sam", there is no information given that allows us to determine that -- except that it would have to be more than 70, since Sam WAS 70 at some time in the past.<br>
But we don't now how to answer the question, because the question that is asked sloppily asks "at THIS point in time, how old WAS Sam?"