Caden's current age is 5 times as old as Elijah's age years ago. Today, Elijah's age is Caden's age the same number of years ago. How old is Caden's age now if the total of their current age is 72?
| |
Caden |
Elijah |
Difference |
Total |
| Before |
1 p |
1 u |
1 p - 1 u |
|
| Change |
+ ? |
+ ? |
|
|
| After |
5 u |
1 p |
5 u - 1 p |
72 |
Total age of Caden and Elijah today = 5 u + 1 p
5 u + 1 p = 72 --- (1)
The difference in Caden's age and Elijah's age remains the same.
5 u - 1 p = 1 p - 1 u
5 u + 1 u = 1 p + 1 p
6 u = 2 p
3 u = 1 p
Substitute 1 p = 3 u into (1).
5 u + 1 p = 72
5 u + 3 u = 72
8 u = 72
1 u = 72 ÷ 8 = 9
Caden's age now
= 5 u
= 5 x 9
= 45
Answer(s): 45
