Question

Three times Francis' age plus five times Earl's age is 230. Earl is also four times Francis age. How old is Earl?

Answer 1

E = 40 years

Explanation:

Let the age of Francis be F.

Let the age of Earl be E.

Translating the word problem into an algebraic expression, we have;

3F + 5E = 230 ......equation 1

E = 4F .......equation 2

To find the value of F;

Substituting eqn 2 into eqn 1, we have

3F + 5(4F) = 230

3F + 20F = 230

23F = 230

F = 230/23

F = 10 years

Now, to find the value of E;

From eqn 2;

E = 4F

Substituting the value of "F" we have;

E = 4*10

E = 40 years

Therefore, Earl is 40 years old.