In five years time thabo will be three times as old as he was nine years ago.how old is he now
x = present age
In five years time thabo will be three times as old as he was nine years ago, mean:
5 + x = 3 ( x - 9 )
5 + x = 3 x - 27 Subtract x to both sides
5 + x - x = 3 x - 27 - x
5 = 2 x - 27 Add 27 to both sides
5 + 27 = 2 x - 27 + 27
32 = 2 x Divide both sides by 2
32 / 2 = x
16 = x
x = 16 yrs