New SAT Math - Calculator : Solving Systems of Equations in Word Problems

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for New SAT Math - Calculator

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Word Problems

Mark is three times as old as his son Brian. In ten years, Mark will be  years old. In how many years will Mark be twice as old as Brian? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In ten years, Mark will be  years old, so Mark is  years old now, and Brian is one-third of this, or  years old. 

Let  be the number of years in which Mark will be twice Brian's age. Then Brian will be , and Mark will be . Since Mark will be twice Brian's age, we can set up and solve the equation:

Mark will be twice Brian's age in  years.

Example Question #1 : Word Problems

Gary is twice as old as his niece Candy. How old will Candy will be in five years when Gary is  years old?

Possible Answers:

Not enough information is given to determine the answer.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since Gary will be 37 in five years, he is  years old now. He is twice as old as Cathy, so she is  years old, and in five years, she will be  years old.

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