fifteen years ago Jane was x years old, and also Karen was one third(1/3) as old as Jane.

a) Write down an algebraic expression for Karen's age fifteen years ago, in terms of x.
- would it be x/3

b) write down an algebraic expression for Karen's age now, in terms of x

- would it be (x + 15) / 3

c) write down an algebraic expression for Jane's age now in terms of x

d) Now Karen is three quarters(3/4) as old as Jane. Write down an expression and solve for x.

e) How old is Jane

I am finding hard to work these out

1 answer

a) correct
b) x/3 + 15
c) x+15
d) x/3 + 15 = 3/4 (x+15)
x = 9
e) Jane = x+15 = 24

Check:
Karen is 3/4 * 24 = 18
15 years ago, she was 3, or 1/3 of 9