Question

can someone please answer this question for me?

The ratio of the present ages of two museums is 3 to 5. Twelve years ago, the sum of their ages was less than 56 years. Find the possibilities for the present age of the younger museum.

Answer 1

I found this on http://en.allexperts.com/q/Advanced-Math-1363/2008/11/help-15.htm I hope it helps.
12 years ago is spoke of, so we can drop b) and c). If d) were true, 12 years ago museum A would barely have been made (age 0). There is only one choice left.

a.) Between 18 years and 32 years
b.) Between 10 years and 24 years
c.) Between 8 years and 18 years
d.) Between 12 years and 30 years

Answer 2

you could have the present age of the younger museum be x. thus the present age of the older museum will be 5/3 x (due to the ratio given).
12 years ago, the younger museum's age: x-12 and older museum: 5/3x-12
adding the two should give 56.
(x-12)+(5/3x-12)=56
work out for x

Answer 3

thank you so much you guys! i am not good with ratios at all.

Answer 4

you're welcome :)

Answer 5

:)