Question

is there a technique on solving word problem in age of a person, time consumed in x activity, or any other? im having a hard time solving them during exam while time is so limited

Answer 1

is it some kind of linear equation problem?

Answer 2

example a man is 3x as old as his son.4years ago he was 4x as old as his son. how old is his son?

Answer 3

you could start by changing some of the words to letters

[a man is 3x as old as his son]
becomes

m = 3s

Answer 4

3x+4=4x

Answer 5

see,
link the current with the old.

Answer 6

is it really 3x+4=4x?
if thats the equation so x=4
and if son is 4years old then 4years ago he was 0

Answer 7

i guess the right equation is 3x-4 = 4(x-4)
while x is the age of son.
man is 36 4years ago 32
son is 12 4years ago 8

Answer 8

if x=4 then its the son's age.
Man's age is 3x, which is 3*4=12
But let me check... wait....

Answer 9

ya this should be the answer.....

Answer 10

In your equation how did you put4(x-4) ? Just tell me why

Answer 11

3x-4 is the age of man 4years ago
4(x-4) 4years ago the age of son is 4x as the man

Answer 12

-4 since its past

Answer 13

O ho....
see....3x is the man's age.
4x is the age 4 years before.
3x-4 means the age minus 4 years which gives the previous age which is 4x
so, 3x-4=4x..
when you find x, you get the son's age...
Got it @darkmaker ?

Answer 14

3x-4=4x
-4=4x-3x
-4=x
since there is no negative age x is equal to 4
if x=4
son is 4 4years ago 0
man is 12 4years ago 8
equation seems wrong
age of man is 4x as age of son 4years ago
the age of son must be reduced by 4 also since it was 4years ago

anyway I browse the last page of the book and there is the correct answer there son is 12 years old =)

Answer 15

okay good for you then... hmmm let me think where I made the mistake. Thanks for the answer anyways.......

Answer 16

I got it... You are right.........
Good job! @darkmaker

Answer 17

ill guess im gonna ask my professor regarding my question here. thanks anyway =)