How Old is My Age? Solving an Introductory Question with Variables

[pikapika1]

5 years ago, I was one-sixth age of my brother. In three years my age doubled will match my brother's age. How old is my age.

I tried setting up with 2 variables

1/6(I-5) = B-5

2(I+3) = B+3

and solved for I then i get a fraction.

is there any better approach to this?

 

[PhanthomJay]

5 years ago, I was one-sixth age of my brother. In three years my age doubled will match my brother's age. How old is my age.

I tried setting up with 2 variables

1/6(I-5) = B-5

2(I+3) = B+3

and solved for I then i get a fraction.

is there any better approach to this?

You posted this in the wrong forum. Regardless, while your second equation is correct, you reversed your B and I in the first.

 

[baba89]

I would approach this problem using algebraic equations and logical reasoning. First, I would assign variables to represent the ages of the person in question (I) and their brother (B). Then, based on the given information, I would set up two equations to represent the relationships between their ages at different points in time.

The first equation would be: 5 years ago, I was one-sixth age of my brother. This can be written as: I-5 = (1/6)*(B-5)

The second equation would be: In three years my age doubled will match my brother's age. This can be written as: 2*(I+3) = B+3

From here, I would solve for one of the variables in terms of the other. For example, in the first equation, I could solve for B by multiplying both sides by 6 and adding 5, giving me: B = 6(I-5) + 5.

Then, I would substitute this value of B into the second equation, giving me: 2*(I+3) = 6(I-5) + 5 + 3.

Simplifying, I get: 2I + 6 = 6I - 30 + 8.

Bringing the terms with I to one side and simplifying, I get: 4I = 32.

Dividing both sides by 4, I get: I = 8.

Therefore, the person in question is currently 8 years old.

In summary, the better approach to this problem would involve setting up and solving equations using variables to represent the ages and using logical reasoning to solve for the unknown age. This ensures accuracy and eliminates the possibility of getting a fraction as the answer.