A man has four sons. The eldest is four years older than the second son, who is four years older than the third, who is four years older than the youngest, who is half the age of the oldest.
How old are the sons?
2006-07-07 11:08:02 · 10 answers · asked by brainyandy 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
The sons are 24, 20, 16, and 12.
Let the ages be a, b, c, and d.
a = b + 4
b = c + 4
c = d + 4
d = 0.5 * a
Then a = (c+4) + 4 = c + 8
a = (d+4) +8 = d + 12
a = (0.5 * a) + 12
0.5 * a = 12
a = 24
Substitute back into the first 3 equations and you will get b = 20, c = 16, and d = 12.
2006-07-07 11:17:48 · answer #1 · answered by The Terminated 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this your homework? It's a simple algebra problem
Youngest = x
3rd = x + 4
2nd = x + 4 + 4
Eldest = x + 4 + 4 + 4
Since youngest = eldest / 2
2x = x + 12 or x + x = x + 12,
so if we take x from each side, x = 12, giving...
youngest = 12, 2nd = 16, 3rd = 20, Eldest = 24
2006-07-07 18:17:56 · answer #2 · answered by SG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The youngest is 12; second youngest is 16; third youngest is 20; oldest is 24.
2006-07-07 19:12:12 · answer #3 · answered by John (Thurb) McVey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1 = #2 + 4
#2 = #3 + 4
#3 = #4 + 4
#1 = #4 * 2
therefor:
#1 = 2 * (#3 - 4) = 2 * (#2 - 8) = 2 * (#1 - 12)
#1 = 2 * #1 - 24
so : #1 has 24 years, #2 has 20, #3 has 16 and #4 has 12
2006-07-07 19:16:16 · answer #4 · answered by JinX 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Son #1: 24
Son #2: 20
Son #3: 16
Son # 4: 12
2006-07-07 18:16:01 · answer #5 · answered by wales 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
24, 20, 16 and 12 any more tough math questions?
2006-07-07 18:12:27 · answer #6 · answered by G DOG 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3rd son!
16,12,8,4
Hehehe ok now how old was the oldest son lol make a differience i see lmao.
2006-07-07 18:14:48 · answer #7 · answered by jjnsao 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are ;[x,x-4,x-8,x-12]years old=24,20,16 and12years old.
2006-07-07 18:21:03 · answer #8 · answered by LILREAL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
24,20,16,12
2006-07-07 18:15:00 · answer #9 · answered by Miles D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THIS IS GAY!
2006-07-07 18:11:37 · answer #10 · answered by ~ CRAZi GiRL ~ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋