Question

Two years ago, a father was five times as old as his son. Two years later,

his age will be 8 more than three times the age of the son. Find the present

ages of father and son.​

Answer 1

The father's current age is 42

The son's current age = 10

Explanation:

Let the son's present age = x

Let the father's present age = y

5(x - 2) = y - 2

3(x + 2) + 8 = y + 2 Remove the brackets of both equations

5x - 10 = y - 2 Add 2 to both sides

5x - 8 = y

3x + 6 + 8 = y + 2

3x + 14 = y + 2 Subtract 2 from both sides

3x + 14 - 2 = y

3x + 12 = y

Equate the left side of the resulting equations

3x + 12 = 5x - 8 Add 8 to both sides

3x + 12 + 8 = 5x Subtract 3x from both sides

3x + 20 = 5x

20 =5x - 3x

20 = 2x Divide by 2

20/2 = x

x = 10

5x - 8 = y

5(10) - 8 = y

y = 42