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.