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Algebra>CustomizableWordProblemSolvers>Age>LessonTipsforsolvingagerelatedwordproblemsLogOn
ThisLesson(Tipsforsolvingagerelatedwordproblems)wascreatedbybyjsmallt9(3757)
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It is not possible to provide a "cookbook" which will explain a specific sequence of steps that will
solve every age-related problem. But here are some general tips:
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/age/Tipsforsolvingagerelatedwordproblems.lesson 1/2
11/22/2016 LessonTipsforsolvingagerelatedwordproblems
er now?
Expressions. With two people and two points in time I need 4 expressions. Since Tom is younger,
I will make "x" represent his age 4 years ago:
x = Tom's age 4 years ago
4*x = Heathers age 4 years ago
x+4 = Tom's age now
4*x+4 = Heather's age now
Notice how there is only addition and multiplication. This is because I chose "x" to be the smalles
t number. Although it may not always be possible to to this, it is advantageous to make "x" the sm
allest number most of the time.
Equations. 1 variable = 1 equation.
The relationship described in the problem which has not been used is: "Today she is twice as old".
Another way to word this is: "Heather's age now is twice Tom's age now". Translating this into an
equation we get:
4*x+4 = 2*(x+4)
Look at the expressions, the equation and the sentences "Today she is twice as old" or "Heathe
r's age now is twice Tom's age now" to see how the sentences translate into the equation.
Now we solve. Simplify first:
4x + 4 = 2x + 8
Subtract 2x from each side:
2x + 4 = 8
Subtract 4 from each side:
2x = 4
Divide both sides by 2:
x=2
Answer the question! "x" as you can see from the expressions list above, stand for Tom's age 4 y
ears ago. The question is about Heather's age now. The expressions list tells us that Heather's a
ge now is 4*x+4. So we use the value we found for x and this expression to answer the question:
Heather's age now = 4*x+4 = 4*(2)+4 = 8 + 4 = 12.
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