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505-555 (Easy)|   Algebra|      
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MathRevolution
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Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be 03 Oct 2018, 02:27
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D
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81% (01:15) correct 19% (01:50) wrong based on 105 sessions

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[Math Revolution GMAT math practice question]

Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be three times as old as him. How old is Tom now?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
E. 7
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D
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Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be 03 Oct 2018, 02:33
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Mom = 5(Tom) or M = 5T

After 6 years,

M+6 = 3(T+6)

5T+6 = 3T+18

2T = 12

T= 6.

D is the answer.
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Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be 03 Oct 2018, 03:30
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It is a flawed question .. initially of Tom's age is 1 then his mum's age will be 5 ... Is this possible???

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Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be 03 Oct 2018, 03:34
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Arnab1636
It is a flawed question .. initially of Tom's age is 1 then his mum's age will be 5 ... Is this possible???

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In the real world? I don't think so. But in maths, it's possible.
The question is correct.
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Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be Updated on: 03 Nov 2019, 12:09
Originally posted by BrentGMATPrepNow on 03 Oct 2018, 09:51.
Last edited by BrentGMATPrepNow on 03 Nov 2019, 12:09, edited 1 time in total.
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MathRevolution
[Math Revolution GMAT math practice question]

Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be three times as old as him. How old is Tom now?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
E. 7
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Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him.
Let T = Tom's PRESENT age
So, 5T = Mom's PRESENT age

This also means:
Let T + 6= Tom's age IN 6 YEARS
and 5T + 6 = Mom's age IN 6 YEARS

In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be three times as old as Tom.
In other words: (Mom's age IN 6 YEARS) = 3(Tom's age IN 6 YEARS)
Or we can write: 5T + 6 = 3(T + 6)
Expand: 5T + 6 = 3T + 18
Subtract 3T from both sides: 2T + 6 = 18
So: 2T = 12
T = 6

Answer: D
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Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be 03 Oct 2018, 12:49
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Tom` age x

Tom`s mom age 5x

in 6 years tom`s mom will be 3x

Tom`s mom age in 6 years = 5x+6

Toms age in 6 years will be three times less than his mom age; so, to make tom`s age equal to his mom`s age multiply tom`s age by 3. i.e 3(x+6)

hence we can equate Tom`s and his mom`s ages

5x+6=3(x+6)

5x+6=3x+18

2x = 12

x = 6
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Tom’s Mom is five times as old as him. In 6 years, Tom’s Mom will be 05 Oct 2018, 01:37
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=>

We can set up this question using the IVY approach. “Is”
can be converted to “=” and “times” can be converted to the multiplication sign “x”.

Let m and t be Tom’s Mom’s age and Tom’s age now, respectively.
Then \(m = 5t\) since Tom’s mom is five times as old as Tom.
We also have
\(m + 6 = 3(t + 6)\) since Tom’s mom will be three times as old as Tom in 6 years.

Plugging \(m = 5t\) into the second equation yields
\(5t + 6 = 3t + 18\) or \(2t = 12.\)
So, \(t = 6\).

Therefore, the answer is D.
Answer: D
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