Question

The sum of Eli’s age and Cecil’s age is 60. Six years ago, Eli was three times old as Cecil. Find Eli’s age now

Answer 1

Eli's age = 42 years

Explanation:

Let x be Eli's age and y be Cecil's age

So,

According to the statement given

x+y=60 eqn 1

Eli's age 6 years ago = x-6

Cecil's age 6 years ago = y-6

So according to the given statement

x-6 = 3(y-6)

x-6 = 3y - 18

x-3y = -18+6

x-3y= -12 eqn 2

Subtracting eqn 2 from eqn 1

x+y - (x-3y) = 60 - (-12)

x+y-x+3y = 60+12

4y = 72

y = 18

Cecil's age = 18 years

Putting y = 18 in eqn 1

x+18=60

x = 60-18

x = 42

Eli's age = 42 years ..