Michael is 4 times as old as Ben and is also 6 years older than Ben. How old is Ben?

Question

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Answer 1

Let M and B be Michael's and Ben's ages.  Since you have two unknowns (M and B), you need two equations to solve for them.

• Michael is 4 times as old as Ben

 

         M = 4B

 

• and is also 6 years older than Ben

 

         M = B + 6

 

Since M=4B, substitute 4B in place of M in the second equation:

 

        M = B + 6

       4B = B + 6

 

Solve for B.