Nikhil and Mae work at the same company. Nikhil has been at the company 6 times as long as Mae. Nikhil's time at the company is 8 more than 4 times Mae's. The following system of equations models the scenario:

Question

x = 6y
x = 8 + 4y

How many years has each person been employed by the company?

Answer 1

Substitute x = 6y from the first equation into the second equation:

6y = 8 + 4y

2y = 8

y = 4

So, Mae has been employed by the company for 4 years.

Using the first equation, we can find Nikhil's employment length:

x = 6y

x = 6(4)

x = 24

Therefore, Nikhil has been employed by the company for 24 years.