Age problems

Question

Sophie was 28 years old when her daughter Nichole was born. In how many years will Sophie be two years less than six times Nichole's age ?

 

Answer 1

You need two equations that represent the sentences.

 

Let S be Sophie's age and N be Nichole's age

 

S= N + 28   This states that at whatever age Nichole is, Sophie is 28 years older

 

S = 6N - 2   This is the translation of the second sentence

 

Because both of these are solved for S, you can set them equal to each other

 

N + 28 = 6N - 2

 

Add 2 to both sides

 

N + 30 = 6N

 

Now subtrace N from both sides

 

30 = 5N

 

And divide by 5

 

N = 6  This means when Nichole is 6, which is 6 years from now, both statements will be true.