Problema Solution

Dylan is 102 years younger than Colleen. 3 years ago, Colleen's age was 4 times Dylan's age. How old is Dylan now?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let 'x' be the age of Dylan and 'y' the age of Colleen where x and y are non-negative integer numbers.

We need to find x.


From the text we have


x = y + 102

4*(x - 3) = y - 3


If we replace x = y + 102 in the second equation we get


4 (y + 102 -3) = y - 3

4y + 4*99 = y - 3

4y - y = - 4*99 - 3

3y = - 399

y = - 399 / 3


y = - 133

y < 0 and can not be the age of Colleen.


Also x = -133 + 102 = - 21 < 0 can not be the age of Dylan.


The values for x and y do not satisfy the non-negativity condition and therefore the problem has no solution.