What is the present age of the mother and son in this age problem?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an age problem involving a mother and her son, specifically focusing on their present ages based on given relationships and future age predictions. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving related to algebraic expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that the mother is 10 times as old as her son, setting up the equations: Mother = 10x and Son = x.
  • Another participant presents the equation 10x + 6 = 4(x + 6) and attempts to solve it, leading to the conclusion that the son is 3 years old and the mother is 30 years old.
  • A different setup is suggested by another participant, stating Mother = 6x and Son = x, with the equation 6x + 6 = 4(x + 6), questioning the correctness of this approach.
  • One participant indicates a typo correction in their previous message without providing further details.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are multiple competing setups and solutions presented, leading to uncertainty about the correct approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved mathematical steps and differing assumptions regarding the relationships between the ages, which may affect the outcomes of the proposed solutions.

mathdad
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A mother is 10 times as old as her son. In six years time she will be four times as old as her son. Find the present age of the mother.

Here is the set up:

Mother = 10x

Son = x

10x + 6 = 4(x + 6)

Correct?
 
Last edited:
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Complete the problem and check your work to find out! :)
 
10x + 6 = 4(x + 6)

10x + 6 = 4x + 24

10x - 4x = 24 - 6

6x = 18

x = 18/6

x = 3

So, the son is 3 and his mom is 30.
 
Last edited:
RTCNTC said:
A mother is 10 times as old as her son. In six years time she will be four times as old as her son. Find the present age of the mother.

Here is the set up:

Mother = 6x

Son = x

6x + 6 = 4(x + 6)

Correct?

?

try again ...
 
skeeter said:
?

try again ...

I corrected my typo.
 

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