the method is just to write the words as math:
mother is x years old, her son is y years old and the sum of theirs ages together is 58
x+y = 58
Five years ago, the mother was five times as old as the son
(x-5) = 5(y-5)
Now it's easy!
x+y=58
x-5y = -20
subtract and you get
6y = 78
y = 13
so, x=58-y = 45
5 years ago they were 40 and 8; 40=5*8
A mother is x years old, her son is y years old and the sum of theirs ages together is 58 years. Five years ago, the mother was five times as old as the son. Write two equations in x and y and solve them to find the age of their mother and age of the son.
I have found out the answer, but the problem is that I do not know the METHOD of finding the answer.
Please reply asap if you are able. Thank You.
Answers:
Mother = 45
Son = 13
2 answers
How do you get x-5y = -20