Question

sam is 3 times as old as Rob. If 15 is subtracted from Sam's age and 13 is added to Rob's age, their ages will be equal. How old is each now?

Answer 1

Sam is 42 years old and Rob is 14 years old.

Explanation:

x = Rob's age

3x = Sam's age

3x - 15 = x + 13

3x - x = 13 + 15

2x = 28

x = 14

Check: If you subtract 15 from Sam's age and add 13 to Rob's age they would both be 27.

3(14) - 15 = 14 + 13

42 - 15 = 27

27 = 27

Answer 2

Rob's age = 14

Sam's age = 42

Explanation:

sam is 3 times as old as Rob.

Let S be the sam's age and R be the Rob's age

`S=3R`

If 15 is subtracted from Sam's age and 13 is added to Rob's age, their ages will be equal.

`S-15=R+13`

Replace S with 3R

`3R-15=R+13`

Subtract R on both sides

`2R-15=13`

Add 15 on both sides

`2R=28`

Divide both sides by 2

R= 14

Rob's age = 14

Sam's age = 3(R)= 3(14)= 42

Sam's age = 42