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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining Kayleen's current age based on the statement that she will be four times older in 20 years. Participants explore the implications of the equation derived from this statement, examining whether fractional ages are acceptable and how to interpret the results.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants present the equation x + 20 = 4x to find Kayleen's current age, leading to the conclusion that x = 20/3.
  • Others argue that the equation does not make sense, suggesting there may be a typo in the original problem.
  • Some participants challenge the notion that a person cannot have a fractional age, explaining that 20/3 corresponds to 6 years and 8 months.
  • A participant provides a method for converting the fraction 20/3 into years and months, stating that 20 divided by 3 is 6 and two thirds, with two thirds of a year equating to 8 months.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the validity of the equation and the acceptability of fractional ages, with no consensus reached on the interpretation of the problem.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in the problem's phrasing and the assumptions regarding age representation, but these remain unresolved.

mathdad
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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.
 
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RTCNTC said:
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...
 
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.
 
RTCNTC said:
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...
 
Prove It said:
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?
 
20 divided by 3 is 6 and two thirds. Two thirds of a year is 8 months.
 
More age word problems tomorrow.
 

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