Question

The ratio of Brenda’s age to Jason’s age is 4:5. In eight years the ratio will be 6:7. How old is Brenda now?

Answer 1

Step #1 - Name things.

B is Brenda's Age Now
J is Jason's Age Now

Okay, now we can talk about them.

If their current ages have a ratio of 4:5, can you express that in mathematical notation?

Hint: Think Ratio = Fraction.

Answer 2

J=5/4 * B = 1.25B .............(1)
\[\frac{B+8}{J+8}=\frac{6}{7}\ ............(2)\]
Cross multiplying (2) gives
7B + 56 = 6J + 48 ..................(3)
Plugging the value for J from (1) into (3) we get
7B + 56 = 7.5B + 48 ..............(4)
Now you just need to solve (4) to find B.

Answer 3

@Sonyalee77 Do you understand?

Answer 4

no

Answer 5

@campbell_st

Answer 6

7B + 56 = 7.5B + 48 ..............(4)
Now you just need to solve (4) to find B.
First subtract 7B from both sides to get
7.5B - 7B + 48 = 56
which simplifies to
0.5B + 48 = 56
Now subtract 48 from both sides to get
0.5B = 8 ............(5)
Now if you divide both sides of equation (5) by 0.5 you will get B, Brenda's present age.

Answer 7

@Sonyalee77 Are you there?

Answer 8

is 16 right?

Answer 9

Yes, Brenda's age now is 16 years.