Question 1180782
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Here is another of many different ways this problem could be solved....<br>
The difference between their ages is 28 years.  Use that to find how old they are when Ramon's age is 8 more than one-fourth his father's age.<br>
x = father's age when Ramon's age is 8 more than one-fourth his father's age
(1/4)x+8 = Ramon's age then<br>
The difference between their ages then (as always) is 28:<br>
{{{x-((1/4)x+8)=28}}}
{{{x - (1/4)x-8=28}}}
{{{(3/4)x=36}}}
{{{x = 36(4/3) = 48}}}<br>
{{{(1/4)x+8 = 48/4+8 = 12+8 = 20}}}<br>
The father will be 48 and the son 20 when the son's age is 8 more than one-fourth his father's age.<br>
Now, having determined that, I will submit that the question that is asked can't be answered, because there is not enough information.<br>
We know that some time in the past Ramon was 12 and his father was 40.<br>
And we know that some time in the future Ramon will be 20 and his father will be 48.<br>
Then the question asks HOW MANY YEARS MUST PASS before the time when Ramon is 20 and his father is 48.<br>
But there is nothing in the statement of the problem that lets us determine how old either of them is NOW -- and therefore we can't determine how many years MUST PASS until their ages are 20 and 48.<br>