Question

Robert is twice as old as Charlotte. Five years ago his age was three times Charlotte's age. Find their present ages.

Answer 1

Charlotte's age = 10 years and Robert's age = 2(10) = 20 years

Explanation:

Let Robert's age is r and Charlotte's age is c.

r = 2c

Five years ago,

Robert's age = (r-5)

His age was three times Charlotte's age. So,

(r-5) = 3(c-5)

Put r = 2c in the above equation. So,

(2c-5) = 3(c-5)

(2c-5) = 3c-15

Taking like terms together,

15-5 = 3c-2c

c = 10

So, Charlotte's age = 10 years

Robert's age = 2(10) = 20 years