Algebra 2 problem help?

Hi,

Let's let L = Tom's Age in years.

Then we need to translate each statement into algebraic equations

Then we're going to solve for L so we can figure out how many years he spent in each location

1/3 of his life in U.S., so U.S. = 1/3 L

1/6 in India, so India = 1/6 L

Egypt = 12

Australia = half of the remainder, which is half of [ L (the total) - the time spent in the first 3 countries]

1/2 (L - 1/3L - 1/6L - 12)

= 1/2 (6/6 L - 2/6 L -1/6L -12)

= 1/2 (1/2 L - 12)

= 1/4 L -6

Canada = 1/6 L (same as india)

The total must add to L (assuming these are everywhere he's lived)

1/3 L + 1/6 L + 12 +1/4L -6 +1/6 L = L the combine like therms

2/3 L +1/4 L + 6 = 1 L

1/4L + 6 = 1/3 L

3/12 L + 6 = 4/ 12 L

1/12 L = 6

L = 72 <-------he's 72 years old

Then plug back in:

He spent 24 years in the U.S.

12 in India (this is from 24-36 years old)

12 in Egypt (this is from 36-48 years old)

12 in Australia

12 in Canada

So he was in Egypt during year 40.

Good luck!

-Devon Review