Oliver's current age is 3 times as old as Howard's age years ago. Today, Howard's age is Oliver's age the same number of years ago. How old is Oliver's age now if the total of their current age is 40?
| |
Oliver |
Howard |
Difference |
Total |
| Before |
1 p |
1 u |
1 p - 1 u |
|
| Change |
+ ? |
+ ? |
|
|
| After |
3 u |
1 p |
3 u - 1 p |
40 |
Total age of Oliver and Howard today = 3 u + 1 p
3 u + 1 p = 40 --- (1)
The difference in Oliver's age and Howard's age remains the same.
3 u - 1 p = 1 p - 1 u
3 u + 1 u = 1 p + 1 p
4 u = 2 p
2 u = 1 p
Substitute 1 p = 2 u into (1).
3 u + 1 p = 40
3 u + 2 u = 40
5 u = 40
1 u = 40 ÷ 5 = 8
Oliver's age now
= 3 u
= 3 x 8
= 24
Answer(s): 24
