Question

micheal is 17 years older than john.in 4 years the sum of their ages will be 49. find micheals present age

Answer 1

24

Answer 2

Here is the process. It doesn't fit with the above answer.

m = j + 17

m + j = 49

Substitute j+17 for m in second equation and solve for j. Insert that value into the first equation and solve for m. Check by inserting both values into the second equation.

Answer 3

Micheals age=17 johns age=x then micheals age=x+17. In 4yrs time, johns age will be x+4, while micheals age will be x+17(x+4). Their present ages are x+17(x+4)=49. X^2+4x+17x+68=49. X^2+21x=49-68 x^2+21x=-19 x^2+21x-19=0.x^2+20x-x+19=0. (x^2+20)-(x-19)=0 x(x+20)-1(x-19)=0 (x+20)(x-1) x=-20 or 1.Therefore micheal is 20yrs old.