sam is 12 years older than brad.17 years ago, sam was 4 times as old as brad

Question

how old is sam now

Answer 1

Hi Ashly,

 

Let X =  Brad's age now. 

Then Sam is X + 12 years old now.

 

17 years ago, Brad was X - 17 years old and Sam was (X+12) - 17 years old or X - 5 years old.

 

Sam was 4 times as old as Brad, so 4(X-17) = X-5

 

4X - 68 = X - 5

 

3X = 63

 

X = 21 which is Brad's age now.

 

Then Sam is X + 12 = 33 years old.

 

Confirm by making sure that Sam was 4X as old as Brad 17 years ago.

 

Dan