Problema Solution
Marcy, Tracy and Lacy are sisters. Marcy is the youngest, Tracy is a year older, and Lacy is two years older than Marcy. When their ages are multiplied, the result is 1716. How old is each girl?
Answer provided by our tutors
let
x = the age of Marcy
y = the age of Tracy
z = the age of Lacy
Marcy is the youngest thus x<y and x<z
Tracy is a year older than Marcy
y = x + 1
Lacy is two years older than Marcy
z = x + 2
when their ages are multiplied, the result is 1716
x*y*z = 1716 or
x*(x + 1)*(x + 2) = 1716
by solving the cubic equation we find one real solution and 2 complex
we consider the real solution that is x = 11 years
y = 11 + 1 = 12 years
z = 11 + 2 = 13 years
Marcy is 11 years old.
Tracy is 12 years old.
Lacy is 13 years old.