Age Word Problem: Find Father & Son's % Difference

[alijan kk]

Homework Statement

If a father is twice as old as his son. six years ago father was thrice as old as his son. Find the percentage.
A.10
B.12
C.120
D.6

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

first i am trying to express the equation
f=age of father
s=age of son
f=2s (father is twice as old as his son)
f-6=3(s-6) (6 years ago thrice as old as his son)

I got s=12 years old
and f=24 years old.
what does it mean by percentage here?

 

[Ray Vickson]

Homework Statement

If a father is twice as old as his son. six years ago father was thrice as old as his son. Find the percentage.
A.10
B.12
C.120
D.6

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

first i am trying to express the equation
f=age of father
s=age of son
f=2s (father is twice as old as his son)
f-6=3(s-6) (6 years ago thrice as old as his son)

I got s=12 years old
and f=24 years old.
what does it mean by percentage here?

I don't know; it makes no sense.

 

[phinds]

I agree w/ your answer although it's just ridiculous (problem's fault, not yours) since that would mean the father had the son when he was 12 years old.

I agree w/ Ray that asking for a percentage makes no sense. Did you state the problem exactly as worded?

 

[alijan kk]

I don't know; it makes no sense.

If the question is "what is the age of the son 6 years before..
s-6=6
then six would be correct answer?

In the book 6 is the answer for the original question(percentage)

 

[alijan kk]

I agree w/ your answer although it's just ridiculous (problem's fault, not yours) since that would mean the father had the son when he was 12 years old.

I agree w/ Ray that asking for a percentage makes no sense. Did you state the problem exactly as worded?

yes exactly it is written like that. but the answer is six so i think it is asking for the age of son six years before

 

[phinds]

yes exactly it is written like that. but the answer is six so i think it is asking for the age of son six years before

In that case it is REALLY a horribly worded problem.