tom is eight years older than steve. three years ago, steve was two years more than one third as old as tom was then. how old is tom now? answer pls
t = s+8
(s-3) = 2 + (t-3)/3
Now just solve for t.
s = t-8, so
(t-8-3) = 2 + (t-3)/3
t-11 = 2 + (t-3)/3
t-13 = (t-3)/3
3t-39 = t-3
2t = 36
t = 18
To find out Tom's current age, let's break down the information given step by step:
1. First, let's assume Steve's age as "x".
2. According to the given information, Tom is eight years older than Steve. So, Tom's age can be represented as "x + 8".
3. Three years ago, Steve's age was "x - 3".
4. Three years ago, Tom's age was "x + 8 - 3" which simplifies to "x + 5".
5. According to the second part of the given information, three years ago, Steve was two years more than one-third of Tom's age at that time. Mathematically, this can be represented as the following equation: (x - 3) = (1/3) * (x + 5) + 2.
6. Now, solve the above equation for "x" to find Steve's current age.
7. Once you find Steve's age, simply add 8 to get Tom's current age.
Let's solve the equation:
(x - 3) = (1/3) * (x + 5) + 2
By multiplying both sides by 3 to remove the fraction:
3(x - 3) = x + 5 + 6
Simplifying:
3x - 9 = x + 11
Bringing the "x" terms to one side and the constant terms to the other side:
3x - x = 11 + 9
Simplifying:
2x = 20
Dividing both sides by 2 to solve for "x":
x = 10
So, Steve's current age is 10. Now, add 8 to find Tom's current age:
Tom's current age = 10 + 8 = 18.
Therefore, Tom is currently 18 years old.