MHB What is Kayleen's current age if she will be four times older in 20 years?

[mathdad]

In 20 years, Kayleen will be four times older than she is today. What is her current age?

Kayleen's current age is x.

Kayleen in 20 years = x + 20.

x + 20 = 4x

This equation does not make sense.

 

[Prove It]

In 20 years, Kayleen will be four times older than she is today. What is her current age?

Kayleen's current age is x.

Kayleen in 20 years = x + 20.

x + 20 = 4x

This equation does not make sense.

The equation is correct, there's no reason to believe that your answer has to be a whole number...

 

[mathdad]

Kayleen's current age is x.

Kayleen in 20 years = x + 20.

x + 20 = 4x

20 = 4x - x

20 = 3x

20/3 = x

Kathleen's current age is 20/3. This makes no sense. I think there's a typo in the original problem.

 

[Prove It]

Kayleen's current age is x.

Kayleen in 20 years = x + 20.

x + 20 = 4x

20 = 4x - x

20 = 3x

20/3 = x

Kathleen's current age is 20/3. This makes no sense. I think there's a typo in the original problem.

Why do you think that a person can't be a fractional age? This is 6 years and 8 months...

 

[mathdad]

Why do you think that a person can't be a fractional age? This is 6 years and 8 months...

How do I convert 20/3 to 6 years and 8 months?

 

[Prove It]

20 divided by 3 is 6 and two thirds. Two thirds of a year is 8 months.

 

[mathdad]

More age word problems tomorrow.