Question

Rahim's father's age is 3 times as old as him. if their sum is 56 , find their ages

Answer 1

Rahim is 14 and his father is 42.

Explanation:

Let F be Rahim's father's age and R is Rahim's age.

We learn that:

F = 3R [Rahim's father's age is 3 times as old as him]

and

F + R = 56 [their sum is 56]

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We have 2 equations and two unknowns, so we should be able to find the answers.

Rearrange the second equation to: F = 56 - R

The use that definition of F in the first equation:

F = 3R

(56-R) = 3R

Then we can find R:

56-R = 3R

4R = 56

R = 14

Since R=14 and F + R = 56,

F + R = 56

F + 14 = 56

F = 42

Check

Does F=3R?

42 = 3(14)? YES

Does F + R = 56?

42 + 14 = 56? YES

Rahim is 14 and his father is 42.