Question

Tim is twice as old as his son. In six years, Tim's age will be three times what his son's age was six years ago. How old is Tim's son now? @mathstudent55

Answer 1

well, let's see
tim is twice as old as his son
tim = son x 2
let's call
t = tim
s = son

t = s * 2 => t = 2s

in 6 years, tim will be 3 times older than his son 6 years ago
if we fast-forward 6years, and we ask ourselves, how old was his son 6 years ago?
well, we fast-forwarded 6 years, 6 years ago will be TODAY
and today his age is "2s"
tim's age will be today's age + 6

t + 6 = 3(son's age today)
t + 6 = 3(2s)

we know t = 2s
so we can say

(2s) + 6 = 3(2s)

solve for "s" to get the Son's age today