Bunuel
Andrew will be half as old as Larry in 3 years. Andrew will also be one-third as old as Jerome in 5 years. If Jerome is 15 years older than Larry, how old is Andrew?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 19
D. 26
E. 34
Kudos for a correct solution.
MANHATTAN GMAT OFFICIAL SOLUTION:Let A = Andrew s age now, let L = Larrys age now, and let J = Jerome s age now.
Andrew will be half as old as Larry in 3 years --> 2(A + 3) = (L + 3)
Andrew will also be one-third as old as Jerome in 5 years --> 3(A + 5) = J + 5
If Jerome is 15 years older than Larry --> J = L + 15
You ultimately need to find the value of A. If you replace J in the second equation with (L + 15), both the first and second equations will contain the variables A and L:
3(A + 5) = J + 5 --> 3(A + 5) = (L + 15) + 5
Simplify the first two equations:
2(A + 3) = (L + 3); 3(A + 5) = (L + 15) + 5
2A + 6 = L + 3; 3A + 15 = L + 20
If you subtract the first equation from the second equation, you can cancel out Z, which will allow you to solve for A:
3A + 15 = L + 20
-(2A + 6 = L + 3)
_____________
A + 9 = 17
A = 8
Answer: B.