Question 1141808
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"5 times older than Kim" means Kim's age, plus 5 more times Kim's age.  That is, "5 times older than" means "6 times AS OLD AS".<br>
So if Kim is x years old, then her mother is 6x years old.  Then the problem says the sum of their ages is 36:<br>
{{{x+6x = 36}}}
{{{7x = 36}}}
{{{x = 36/7}}}<br>
This is not a whole number, as it must be; so the statement of the problem is faulty.<br>
Now rewrite the problem correctly to say that Kim's mother is 5 times AS OLD AS Kim; then when you solve the problem by the method shown above you will get a valid solution.