Question

Sarah's age exceeds Vika’s age by 16 years. Four years ago, Sarah was twice as old as Vika was then. Find the present age of each.

Answer 1

the answer is vikas age is 12 and sarahs is 24

Answer 2

Let Sarah's present age =x

Let Vika's present age =y

Sarah's age exceeds Vika’s age by 16 years.

$x=y+16..............(1)$

Four years ago,

Sarah's present age =x-4

Vika's present age =y-4

Four years ago, Sarah was twice as old as Vika was then.

$(x-4) =2(y-4).............(2)$

Plugging the value of x from equation (1) in (2)

$(y+16-4) =2(y-4)$

$(y+12) =2(y-4)$

$(y+12) =2y-8$

y=20

x=y+16 =20+16 = 36

Answer:

Sarah's present age =36

Vika's present age =16