Question:
I am currently 5 times as old as my son. In 6 years time I will be three times as old as he will be then. What are our ages now?
Solution:
Let the age of my son be $\mathrm{x}$ years.
Therefore, my age will be $5 \mathrm{x}$ years.
After 6 years :
Age of my son $=(\mathrm{x}+6)$ years
My age $=(5 \mathrm{x}+6)$ years
According to the question,
$5 \mathrm{x}+6=3(\mathrm{x}+6)$
or $5 \mathrm{x}-3 \mathrm{x}=18-6$
or $2 \mathrm{x}=12$
or $\mathrm{x}=6$
$\therefore$ Age of my son $=6$ years.
My age $=5 \times 6=30$ years.