Question

A woman is 3 times as old as her son.8 years ago, the product of their ages was 112. Find their present ages

Answer 1

Answer:

Son is 12 years old, woman is 36 years old.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

A woman is 3 times as old as her son.

W = 3S

8 years ago the product of their age was 112.

(W - 8)(S - 8) = 112

Replace W with 3s from top equation

(3S - 8)(S - 8) = 112

Multiply out

3S^2 - 32S + 64 = 0

Factorise

(3S + 4)(S - 12) = 0

3S + 4 = 0

3S = -4

S = -4/3 (No answer as -ve)

S - 12 = 0

S = 12

Son is 12 years old

Woman is 36 years old

Hope this helps :-)