Help me with this question.

[Jathusan202]

I have this one question that I can’t get around please help me work it out.

I have a photo of the question. Warning it is sideways.

 

[Harry_the_cat]

Let's break it down.
Let a be Anna's age in 2007. Write expressions in terms of a, for the other ages in 2007. What do you get?

 

[eddy2017]

A: Anna's age in 2007

B: Becky's age in 2007

M: Mary's age in 2007

setting it up,

B = 6 A (Becky is 6 times Anna's age)

M = 4 A (Mary is 4 times Anna's age)

A + 2 = (B + 2) / 4 (the relation between Anna and Becky two years later)

M + 2 = B + 2-6 (the relation between Becky and Mary two years later)

see if solving for these equations helps you find the ages.

hope it helps.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

The approach taken above is very efficient but it involves algebra (the problem was posted in pre-algebra forum).

So I think the "eligible" approach would be trial & error.

Also let us assume the ages to be non-zero "integers".

From the conditions given in OP - Anna is the youngest of the lot. Let us assume she is 1 year old in 2007.

A =1

Then B = 6 A (Becky is 6 times Anna's age) → B=6 and

M = 4 A (Mary is 4 times Anna's age) → M = 4

However this will NOT satisfy "Mary is 6 years younger than Becky"

so assume A = 2 and continue.....

 

[HallsofIvy]

That will work if the ages are whole numbers.

 

[Steven G]

Also let us assume the ages to be non-zero "integers".

Are you suggesting that their ages could be negative. The correct term is positive integers.
When will you engineers learn?

 

[tkhunny]

Not enough information. One must know WHEN in November the birthdayS are and WHO HAS OR HAS NOT HAD A BIRTHDAY IN THE OBSERVATION MONTH.

 

[Otis]

Are you [Subhotosh] suggesting that their ages could be negative.

Surely, you jest.

If not, then you'd better ask Halls whether he's suggesting that ages could be zero.

 

[Otis]

Not enough information.

For some people, I'd say too much information was given.

Delete phrase "In November 2007".

Change phrase "In November 2009" to "Two years later".

Otherwise, we need to assume that no ages change in November because that's the only way to answer the question.

?

 

[Otis]

That will work if the ages are whole numbers.

Case 1: Assume the question is flawed
Case 2: Assume the question is not flawed

Hint: Start with Case 2

 

[HallsofIvy]

Case 1: Assume the question is flawed
Case 2: Assume the question is not flawed

Hint: Start with Case 2

That's assuming quite a lot, isn't it?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Are you suggesting that their ages could be negative. The correct term is positive integers.
When will you engineers learn?

Haven't you heard of time-machine? Engineers deal with imagination!!