Question

Sam is three times as old as his son Ray. Four years ago, Sam was 4 times his son Ray’s age. Find their present ages.

Answer 1

Ray's present age is 12; and

Sam's present age is 36

Explanation:

Let the son's present age=x

Sam is three times as old as his son Ray.

Therefore, Sam's age =3x

Their ages four years ago are:

• Ray =x-4
• Sam =3x-4

Four years ago, Sam was 4 times his son Ray’s age.

Therefore:

Sam's age =4*Ray's age

3x-4=4(x-4)

Open the brackets

3x-4=4x-16

Collect like terms

4x-3x=16-4

x=12

Therefore:

Ray's present age is 12; and

Sam's present age is 3*12=36