Question

The age of father is two years less than three times the age of his son. If the sum of their ages is 54 years, find the age of both. Solve the puzzle using equations.

Answer 1

Let the son be x

.

The father is 2 years less than 3 times the son:

Father = 3x - 2

.

Their sum is 54 years old:

x + (3x - 2) = 54

Remove bracket:

x + 3x - 2 = 54

Combine like terms:

4x - 2 = 54

Add 2 to both sides:

4x = 56

Divide both sides by 4:

x = 14

.

Find their age:

Son = x = 14 years old

Father = 3x - 2 = 3(14) - 2= 40 years old

.

Answer: The son is 14 years old and the father is 40 years old.

Answer 2

let the son's age is x
then the age of the father will be 3x-2


then the equation will be
x+3x-2=54
4x-2=54
4x=56
x=14


then the age of the child is (x) =14 years
age of the father will be (3x-2)=14*3-2
=52-2
=50years