Question

Thomas Jefferson was born 11 years after George Washington. In 1772, Washington's age was 5 years more than 7 times the age of Jefferson in the year of 1748. What was the age of each man in 1748, 1776, and 1787

Answer 1

1748: Washington - 16; Jefferson - 5

1772: Washington - 40; Jefferson - 29

1776: Washington - 44; Jefferson - 33

1787: Washington - 55; Jefferson - 44

Explanation:

Answer 2

• 1748: Washington - 16; Jefferson - 5
• 1772: Washington - 40; Jefferson - 29
• 1776: Washington - 44; Jefferson - 33
• 1787: Washington - 55; Jefferson - 44

Explanation:

Let W and J represent Washington's and Jefferson's ages in 1748.

J + 11 = W . . . . . Washington is 11 years older than Jefferson

W+24 is Washington's age in 1772:

W+24 = 5 +7J . . . . in 1772, Washington's age was 5 more than 7×J's in 1748

Substituting for W, we get ...

J + 11 + 24 = 5 + 7J

30 = 6J . . . . . . . . . . . subtract J+5, collect terms

5 = J

In 1748, Jefferson was 5; Washington was 16.

24 years later in 1772, Jefferson was 29; Washington was 40.

4 years later in 1776, Jefferson was 33; Washington was 44.

11 years later in 1787, Jefferson was 44; Washington was 55.

_____

Check

In 1772, Washington was 40, which is 5 more than 7 times 5 (Jefferson's age in 1748).