Age question

Question

Tom is 31 years older than Christie. 31 years ago Tom was twice Christies age.  How old are they now?

 

Here is my work: let x be Christies age now

 

Christie now x

Tom now X+31

 

Christie 31 years age x-31

tom 31 years age x+31-31 or x.      So:

         X-31= x(2) for twice her age

 

cant make it work. Is it solvable?

 

 

 

 

Answer 1

Tom WAS twice Christies age.....translates to...

x        =       2  *  (x - 31)

x = 2x - 62

-x = -62

x = 62

 

Check

now, the ages are 62 and 93. 31 years ago, their age were 31 and 62, one being twice the others age. So this is correct.