Question

A year hence a father will be 5 times as old as his son. Two years ago, he was three times as old as his his son will be four years hence. Find their present age.​

Answer 1

x = son’s age

y = father’s age

5(x + 1) = y + 1

3(x + 4) = y - 2

First equation simplified:

5x + 5 = y + 1

y = 5x + 4

Plug into second equation:

3x + 12 = 5x + 4 - 2

-2x = -10

x = 5 (age of son)

y = 5(5) + 4 = 29 (age of father)