Samson is 6 years old. His mother is 30 years old. How old will Samson be when his mother is exactly 4 times as old as he is?

Question

Samson is 6 years old. How old will he be when his mom who is 30 now is exactly 4 times his age.

Answer 1

The difference between their ages will always be 24. M-24=S

We also want that M=4S

 

Substituting, we get 4S-24=S

Subtract S to get 3S-24=0

Add 24 to get 3S=24

Divide by 3 to get S=8. So Samson will be 8.

 

Let's check. He'll be 8 in 2 years. So when he's 8, his mother will be 32, and 8x4=32. So it works out.