Grade 6 Olympiad Math question
A man is five times as old as his son. He will be three times as old as his son after 10 years. Find their present ages?
Step 1: Create a table
Present age Future age
Man – M M +10
Son – S S+10
Visualize the problem with the help of a table
Step 2- Frame equations
A man is five times as old as his son. – M = 5S
He will be three times as old as his son after 10 years = M+10 = 3 x (S+10)
Step 3- Solve the equations
M=5S
M+10=3(S+10)
5S+10 = 3S+30
2S=20
S=10 years
M = 50 years