Easy Age Problem: 1.1
Algebra
Level
2
Richard is 5 years older than Paul. The product of their ages is 21 years less than 15 times the sum of their ages. How old is Paul now?
The answer is 27.
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1 solution
Let x= Richard's present age, y=Paul's present age
x = y + 5
xy = 15(y+5+y) - 21 ---> y^2 - 25y - 54 = 0
The roots are y = 27, and y = -2. Taking y = 27, then x = 32. Paul is
27 years old now.