HELP : Algebra Question!

Expert replies

KevinTheGMAT: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 5; Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 7:59 pm; Location: New York

by KevinTheGMAT » Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:13 pm

Hey! Im a 13 year old boy...and Im not afraid to admit it. Well, Im having a really hard time with this question. Would you please help me?

My father is 24 years older than I am. In two years, he will be three times as old as I am. How old is each of us, now?

Thanks again for helping me with this question.
Please tell me how to figure it out and the answer!

Party like a math geek!

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:13 pm

agoyal2: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 59; Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:00 am; Thanked: 4 times

by agoyal2 » Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:36 pm

Take:
Child = x
Fater = x+24

After 3 Years:
Child = x+3
Father = x+24 +3

As per the given relationship:
x+27 = 3(x+3)
x+27=3x+9
2x=18
x=9

So, Child = 9 Yrs and Father 33 Yrs

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Ian Stewart: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2623; Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:17 amFollowed by: 355 members; Location: Montreal; Thanked: 1090 times; GMAT Score:780

by Ian Stewart » Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:55 pm

agoyal2 wrote:
After 3 Years:
Child = x+3
Father = x+24 +3

...
So, Child = 9 Yrs and Father 33 Yrs

Nice work agoyal, but I think you misread one word in the question:

KevinTheGMAT wrote: My father is 24 years older than I am. In two years, he will be three times as old as I am. How old is each of us, now?

So, the child should be 10, the father 34, so that in two years they will be 12 and 36. The algebra (just editing agoyal's work):

Child = x
Father = x+24

After 2 years:
Child = x+2
Father = x+24 +2 = x+26

Since the Father's age is three times the Child's age after 2 years:
x+26 = 3(x+2)
x+26=3x+6
2x=20
x=10

For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

ianstewartgmat.com

Like this post

agoyal2: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 59; Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:00 am; Thanked: 4 times

by agoyal2 » Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:24 am

Oops! My bad.. I hope I don't make these mistakes when taking the test. Thanks for correcting me Ian!

Like this post

KevinTheGMAT: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 5; Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 7:59 pm; Location: New York

by KevinTheGMAT » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:14 pm

Thanks guys! This really helped me...

Party like a math geek!

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review