A mother is three times as old as her son. Eight years ago, she was 4 more than five times the age of her son. How old is the mother now?

1 answer

son's age ---- x
mother ------ 3x

eight yrs ago:
son ---- x-8
mom --- 3x-8

3x-8 = 5(x-8) + 4
3x-8 = 5x-40+4
-2x = -28
x = 14

mother now is 3x = 42

check:
now:
son--- 14
mom ---42

8 yrs ago:
son =6
mom = 34
is 34 four more than 5x6 ?? YES