Question

The ratio of the ages (in years) of two teachers is 8:9. The sum of their ages is 51. What is the age of each teachers?

Answer 1

Answer:

x = 24yrs and y = 27yrs

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the age of one of the teachers be x

Let the age of the other teacher be y

From the second sentence;

x + y = 51 ----------(1)

From the first sentence;

x/y = 8/9 ------------(2)

Making y the subject of formula in equation (1) as follows;

y = 51 -x -------------(3)

Substitute (3) into (2) as follows;

x/51- x = 8/9

Cross multiply as follows:

9*x = 8(51- x)

9x = 408 - 8x

Collecting like terms;

9x + 8x = 408

17x = 408

Divide both sides by 17;

x = 24 yrs

Substitute x = 24 into equation (3) as follows;

y = 51 - 24

y = 27 yrs