Question

the ages of two brothers are in the ratio two to three,but in eight years the ratio of ther ages will be three to four .findtheir presentage

Answer 1

hmmmm, so you want to turn this into a series of equations based on the rules outlined in the word problem. and then solve them.

Answer 2

so how can you write one of the equations given the first piece of information?

Answer 3

e.g. \[y = 2x/3\]

Answer 4

where y = younger, and x = older

Answer 5

but since there are two variables in this problem, you need a second equation to solve

Answer 6

(the two present ages are the two variables)

Answer 7

so we know in 8 years, that the ratio will actually be 3/4, not 2/3

Answer 8

so: y+8/x+8 = 3/4

Answer 9

now that you have two unknown variables (the present ages), and two equations, you can solve the problem by substituting the first (y=2x/3) into the second.

Answer 10

thank you :)

Answer 11

no problem!