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

Question

julie · Answer

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.

julie · Answer

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

julie · Answer

e.g. $$y = 2x/3$$

julie · Answer

where y = younger, and x = older

julie · Answer

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

julie · Answer

(the two present ages are the two variables)

julie · Answer

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

julie · Answer

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

julie · Answer

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.

anonymous · Answer

thank you :)

julie · Answer

no problem!