Question

Jane is 7 years older than amy. twelve years ago, amy was half as old as jane is now. ow old is jane now?

Answer 1

OK, yes i understand

Answer 2

How would i do that?

Answer 3

None of them could possibly be 7 years old now... or else 12 years ago, their age would be negative -_-

Absurd.

Answer 4

Granted. Your final answers are
Jane = 26
Amy = 19 then?

Answer 5

Okay, well it's wrong.
Twelve years ago, Amy was half as old as Jane is *now*.

Answer 6

it says 12 years ago amy was half as old as jane is now, and 7 isnt half of 26?

Answer 7

^agreed.
So far you've given two wrong answers in a row, Zelman.
Let me handle this, for the sake of humanity :>

Answer 8

Okay.... @Wherewillweland
Listen up.
We're looking for Jane's age NOW, so we let that be x.
You follow?

Answer 9

ok so far so good

Answer 10

If Jane's age NOW is x, then what's Amy's age NOW?
(HINT: Jane is 7 years older.)

Answer 11

x-7

Answer 12

That's good.
Since Amy is x-7 years old NOW, 12 year ago, what would be her age?

Answer 13

x-19?

Answer 14

That is correct, and this is equal to HALF of Jane's age NOW, which is x.

Therefore\[\Large x- 19 = \frac12x\]
Solve for x, you'll get Jane's age.

Answer 15

I think i did something wrong because i got 9.5

Answer 16

If you're confused, try multiplying both sides of the equation by 2.
\[\Large 2x - 38 = x\]

Answer 17

So the answer is 38?

Answer 18

That is correct :)
Notice that if Jane is 38 now, Amy is 31 now.
12 years ago, Amy would be 31-12, or 19, which IS half of Jane's age now.
Well done ^_^

Answer 19

Awesome! thanks so much for your help