ACT Math · Linear equations and inequalities

In 5 years, a person will be twice as old as they were 3 years ago. What is the person's current age?

In 5 years, a person will be twice as old as they were 3 years ago. What is the person's current age?

Answer and explanation

Answer: G: 11

Let xx be the person's current age. In 55 years the age is x+5x+5, and 33 years ago it was x−3x-3. The condition says x+5=2(x−3)x+5=2(x-3), so x+5=2x−6x+5=2x-6, which gives x=11x=11, choice G. Check: in 55 years the person is 1616, and 33 years ago the person was 88, and 16=2⋅816=2\cdot8. Choice F (88) is the age 33 years ago. Choice J (1616) is the age in 55 years. Choice H (1313) gives 1818 and 1010, and 18≠2018\ne20, so it fails the condition.

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