Word problem

[Guest]

Hi, any help with this would be most welcome and appreciated .

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[Guest]

I am going to assume that the number of candles on his birthday cake, this year and 31 years ago, is the same as his age!

"The number of candles on his birthday cake will be four more than three times a half of the number 31 years ago."

Let the number of candles be "N". Then his age is N and 31 years ago his age was x- 31 so 31 years ago his cake had x- 31 candles.
"three of a half" is 3/2 so N= (3/2)(N- 31)+ 4.

Multiply the entire equation by 2: 2N= 3(N- 31)+ 8= 3N- 93+ 8= 3N- 85

Add 85 to both sides of the equation: 2N+ 85= 3N

Subtract 2N from both sides of the equation: 85= N.

He will be 85 tomorrow.

Check: If he will be 85, 31 years ago he was 85- 31= 54. Three halves of that is (3/2)(54)= 3(27)= 81. Adding 4 gives 85, his current age.